CASTRIES – West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) officials have thrown their full support behind the embattled Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).
This follows a directors’ meeting in the St Lucia capital over the last weekend, following which WICB president Julian Hunte wrote the GCB and the Government of Guyana informing them of its decision.
It’s the latest twist in the saga that has gripped the sport in the regional game’s most southerly outpost.
This stems from a decision by the government of Guyana to force the current GCB executive from office, appointing an interim management committee, under the chairmanship of the West Indies legend Clive Lloyd, to manage the day-to-day affairs of the national governing body.
It follows from a ruling by the country’s Chief Justice after a legal challenge about the legitimacy of the current executive after a controversial election of officers at the last annual general meeting during 2011.
“The GCB is the duly recognized entity responsible for the management of cricket in Guyana and is a shareholder of the WICB,” said the letter from WICB to the GCB, a copy of which was obtained by CMC.
“The WICB does not accept the interference of the government of Guyana in the affairs of the GCB.”
Hunte added: “The GCB [should] indicate whether it will be able to provide a team to participate in the upcoming Caribbean T20, which commences on January 9, and, if not, the reasons for the inability.
“The WICB affirms its support for the GCB and offers its assistance to find a resolution to this matter.”
In a letter to Guyana’s Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Hunte said he was willing to meet with the government about the matter with the understanding that the WICB recognizes the GCB as the sole legitimate authority for the administration of cricket in Guyana.
“In addition, the GCB is the only body that can organize or request the sanction of official cricket in Guyana,” he said.
“You should also note that it is the GCB which has the responsibility to prepare and sanction of representative teams for participation in regional tournaments.”
Hunte noted that from letters Dr Anthony sent to the GCB and copied to the WICB that it was clear the minister had “dissolved the GCB and its constituent boards”. (CMC)
