Roger Harper returned to the helm of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) on Monday evening after gaining a landslide victory over former president Alfred Mentore.
The association’s Annual General Meeting was held at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) clubhouse where 35 delegates voted for Harper and his team of executives. Harper and Mentore were nominated for the post of president by two delegates and then the ballot papers were circulated by scrutineers Omar Bacchus and Grantley Culbard.
When votes were tallied 28 delegates voted for Harper and seven for Mentore. Returning Officer Ronald Williams, Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), had an easier task thereafter since the other 10 executive posts were unopposed.
The other executives elected were: Neil Barry (Vice-President), Azad Ibrahim (2nd Vice- President), Debra Mc Nicholls ((Secretary), Capt. Ron Daniels (Assistant Secretary), Harry Parmesar (Treasurer), Dennis Wilson (Assistant Treasurer), Eric Whaul (Marketing Manager), Colin Alfred (Public Relations Officer), Shawn Massiah (Competition Committee Chairman) and Barcellos, Narine & Company (Auditors).
When Harper made his brief acceptance speech he thanked the delegates for placing their faith in him.
Harper, before an elated gathering, indicated that the executive will continue to implement programmes and strategies that will aid in the further development of the game, players and administration.
He noted that there will be challenges but the executive is willing to do its bit to overcome these obstacles that will present themselves.
Meanwhile, `prior to the elections when the reports were read it was noted that when the previous body took office early last year one of the main aims was to produce quality players, along with providing good leadership and governance of the game in the city. It was stated in one of the reports that there were developmental camps for the under-15 and under-19 players, which also included follow-up camps, leadership seminars, and a pace bowling and wicketkeepers’ camp.
Additionally, there was the advent of the television programme, ‘Between the Sticks’, which is aired on the National Communications Network (NCN) and outreach programmes.Harper indicated though that while these were all positive innovations there was the challenge of sponsors that supported past administrations discontinuing their sponsorship deals.
However, he said that his administration has been able to rebound and had secured new sponsors, prompting him to say “adversity always beats opportunity”.
He stressed that the tenure of his executives in office has been built on accountability and with the new sponsors that have come onboard the association has been able to “account for every cent of sponsor’s monies,” adding that the body has been able to raise over $3 million in the process.
With this Harper thanked all the companies, friends and other organisations that have come out in support of the GCA.Also at yesterday’s meeting Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson enquired why there was no mention of women’s cricket in the report and why there was so little focus on it throughout the year.
Harper said that the point is noted and there will be discussions to see what will be done.
On the other hand, Harper also noted that there will be a better process of “unearthing new talents” after one delegate reminded the gathering of an incident where a prospective youth player was overlooked since he was not part of the club structure.
