By Marlon Munroe
President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh yesterday strongly condemned the violent attack on his colleague assistant treasurer Pretipaul Jaigobin.
Jaigobin was injured when a corrosive substance was thrown into his face on Tuesday.
He was yesterday a patient in the Burns Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Singh, who visited Jaigobin yesterday, said the act did not auger well for the game and the administration of it.
He, however, said he hoped that Jaigobin, who is also the Project Accountant with the European Union, has a speedy recovery.
Jaigobin, yesterday, said that it was regrettable that such an incident occurred and felt that it might have something to do with his constant criticisms of the GCB.
But, Jaigobin said, in criticizing aspects of the GCB’ operations he was just being honest about some of the malpractices which have occurred.
Jaigobin flanked by his wife who has been at his bedside ever since he was admitted to the institution, said that he will be focussing on family.
He disclosed that his son is currently sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
Recalling the incident, Jaigobin noted that he had stopped for a beer at a Bar in Strasthpey, East Coast Demerara, on his way home Tuesday night when he was approached and doused with the corrosive substance by an unknown assailant.
He recalled, with his eyes partly closed yesterday, that the attacker said…. “Leave meh friends them,” before throwing the substance on him.
He was rushed to the hospital and was later listed as critical.
Yesterday Jaigobin said that he was “feeling no pain” but complained that his vision was blurred at times.
He also estimated that were it not for his spectacles that he might have been in a much worse condition.
He, however, said he was thankful to be alive.
Yesterday part of Jaigobin’s face had turned dark in colour and portions of his chest were discoloured.
Jaigobin alleged that the attack stemmed from the numerous irregularities and malpractices of which he was a strong advocate against within the GCB.
He also claimed that he believes that incident was as a direct result of what transpired at last Friday’s GCB statutory meeting where tempers flared because of his constant scrutiny and questioning of some glaring irregularities especially as they related to the finances of the GCB.
Singh yesterday he said that he could not ascertain what might have caused such an act to be perpetrated.
When asked to clear the air on some of the allegations Jaigobin made Singh said …“as far as my knowledge goes there are no irregularities in the board’s finances but Jaigobin, being versed in accounting, will ask more questions than some people and questions that are justifiable.”
When Stabroek Sports asked if Jaigobin had ever notified him (Singh) about “red flags” concerning the books of the GCB, Singh said that the executive arm of the board arrived at a consensus and held a special finance meeting and all the issues were sorted out.
“There were no irregularities. What Jai was asking was whether the unpaid checks had been balanced with the sum tally at the bottom. The two sets of entries- the unpaid cheques along with the paid cheques should equal to the amount of money. It was nothing big it was ordinary questions,” Singh said.
Jaigobin has revealed to Stabroek Sports that he will quit the position of assistant treasurer when he recovers from his injuries.
