The story on Page 12 was developed from an advertisement published by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) which stated… “The Management of the Albion Sports Complex has taken a decision to prohibit henceforth, the utilisation of the facility for activities not related to it original purpose. This initiative is in keeping with efforts by the Guyana Sugar Corporation to maintain the integrity of the facility, which is historic and an important location particularly for international and regional cricket and the future development of sports, our sportsmen and sportswomen.”
The Albion Sports Complex has over the years been the cradle for many of Berbice and Guyana’s leading sports personalities who utilised it to the fullest on their way to international prominence.
These include cricket greats who made their mark at both the regional and international level such as former West Indies captain Rohan Kanhai, Roy Fredericks, Joe Solomon, Basil Butcher, Alvin Kallicharran, Leonard Baichan, Leslie Amsterdam, Sew Shivnarine, Romain Etwaroo and Mahendra Nagamootoo just to name a few of the Berbicians.
The Albion Sports Complex Ground, like many other sports facilities around the country, has been overrun by the entertainment sector and the consequences have been enormous.
Most of the venues including the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda and the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden have developed bald patches which have become dangerous to our sportsmen and sportswomen when they have to perform at these venues.
Albion once hosted international cricket matches with the first being in 1977 when West Indies scored a four-wicket win over Pakistan and the last of five came in 1985 when the Windies crushed New Zealand by 130 runs.
In addition, the Sports Complex is one of the important local venues for regional first class matches.
The bald patches at Albion are alarming and it will take a very long time for grass to return to the perimeter and other key areas at the venue.
These patches have developed because large structures including stages, drinks and food bars are placed on the ground for shows in addition to the movement of heavy vehicles to move paraphernalia on and off the venue for these activities.
A visit last year to the Berbice Expo by this newspaper failed to observe the enormity of the problem because several booths hid the bald patches.
However, during the National Schools Athletics and Cycling championships at the venue a few months later evidence of the destruction caused by the building of structures on the venue was plain to see.
Athletes and cyclists were hampered in their performances because of the lack of grass coupled by intermittent rainfall.
GuySuCo disclosed that events which accompany the use of alcohol and its related effects or that which has a potential to cause damage to the ground will be prohibited.
The Sugar Corporation must be commended for the stand taken and the move is a timely one to preserve the venue since it is the only top class one in Berbice.
Incidentally, the Sports Complex will host this weekend’s West Indies Cricket Board fifth round four-day cricket match between Guyana and Barbados.
In Georgetown, the Bourda sward faces a similar situation and even as this article was being produced the venue was identified to host a major show for the Mashramani celebrations.
The GCC is identified as a practice venue for teams competing in the upcoming international cricket matches as well as the ICC T20 World Cup to be staged here.
GCC officials will want to argue that they have to generate funds for the upkeep of the club since it is no longer the premier cricket venue in Guyana following the construction of the National Stadium at Providence a few years ago.
GCC, Albion, Mackenzie Sports Club and most other venues were leased for sporting activities and every effort should be made to preserve them for the purpose intended.
Quick facts of One-day Internationals staged at Albion
First Match: March 16, 1977 – West Indies beat Pakistan by 4 wickets
Last Match: April 14, 1985 – West Indies beat New Zealand by 130 runs
Matches: 5
No Result: 0
Most Successful Team: West Indies – 4 wins
Highest Innings Score: 282/5 by India on March 29, 1983 – India beat West Indies by 27 runs
Lowest Innings Score: 129 all out by New Zealand on April 14, 1985 – West Indies beat New
Zealand by 130 runs
Wins Batting First: 2
Wins Batting Second: 3
Average Innings Score: 202
Most Prolific Batsman: Desmond Haynes (328 runs)
Highest Individual Score: 145* by Desmond Haynes v New Zealand on April 14, 1985 – West
Indies beat New Zealand by 130 runs
Most Successful Bowler: Larry Gomes (8 wickets)
Best Bowling Analysis: 3/9 by Colin Croft v England on February 26, 1981 – West Indies beat
England by 6 wickets
