The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the National Sports Commission (NSC), Demerara Cricket Board and Georgetown Cricket Association have all joined in condemning the acid attack on GCB Assistant Treasurer Pretipaul Jaigobin on Tuesday night.
The Sport Ministry said it was appalled and no one should feel compelled to inflict injury on other persons because their views may differ.
It added, “The Ministry of Sport is one component of an administration which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and free speech. No democratic society could tolerate any person or group using corrosive liquids to assault another person or group with whom there is disagreement. Such an uncivilised level of behaviour is unacceptable.”
The NSC release referred to Jaigobin as a “no- nonsense individual” and therefore he expressed his views fearlessly and this seemed to have made some uncomfortable.
The NSC also said, “It is unbelievable that such an act can intrude and be associated with our sports organisations. This is an indication as how far issues can go and how threatened our very lives are. It is hoped that those who are involved will be caught, brought to justice and made public examples.”
President of DCB and Vice President of the GCB Bissoondial Singh stated that he was taken aback by the incident, referring to it as a cowardly act.
Jaigobin, who remains a patient at the GPHC Burns Care Unit, was doused with acid around 21:00 hours on Tuesday at Strathspey, East Coast Demerara.
Singh also stated that he can attest to the personal sacrifices which Jaigobin had made over the years to execute his various functions as a cricket administrator and for the benefit of the development of the game in Guyana.
The release stated, “There is no doubt in my mind that this cowardly act of terror has a connection with the excellent work Mr. Jaigobin has been doing for the administration of cricket in Guyana. In the discharge of his functions as a cricket administrator, Mr. Jaigobin has been professional, diligent and brutally frank in identifying and criticizing issues of mal-administration, nepotism, cronyism, illegalities and financial improprieties whenever they surface.”
Singh made reference to last Friday’s statutory meeting which ended abruptly with one official walking out before the conclusion.
Singh, who referred to the attack as heinous, pointed out that the incident will have profound consequences and its ramifications will reverberate into the psyche of all Guyanese who now hold voluntary public office as well as those who may desire to do so.
He indicated that they will fear for their personal safety, that of their family and their property whenever they hold or aspire to hold such an office.
“The holders of these offices may now lose their objectivity and may no longer be able to function efficiently and effectively. This will have devastating consequences in public administration countrywide.
In this regard and as a result of this atrocity, several officials from the East Coast Cricket Board and the DCB have expressed concerns regarding their personal safety and that of their family and have expressed an intention to resign,” the release added.
It was noted though that should this happen, then “the cowards would have been victorious and tyranny will prevail over good and proper administration”.
Further, Singh implored other officials to use this incident to strengthen their resolve and continue the fight for the development and advancement of cricket in Guyana.
In concluding he called on the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of Home Affairs to ensure that this matter is thoroughly and professionally investigated and that the perpetrator(s) of this horrendous act is arrested and brought to justice.
Meanwhile the statement from the GCA condemned the act and hoped that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The executives of the GCA also wished Jaigobin a speedy recovery, adding that their prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.
The executives and members of the Berbice Cricket Board also condemned the heinous attack and lauded Jaigobin’s penchant for minute scrutiny of the financial reports which has been very revealing.
“Mr. Jaigobin was well known for his unselfish and unblemished service to Demerara and Guyana cricket and was highly respected. To maim Mr. Jaigobin for his views and criticisms was most pernicious.
“The Berbice Cricket Board and all cricket clubs wish Mr. Jaigobin speedy recovery and expressed its sincerest sympathy to his friends and family. Please be assured that we would remember Mr. Jaigobin and his family in our daily prayers. This should never have happened,” the BCB release stated.
