Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony declared yesterday that the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) was given ample time to get its house in order before the formation of the government-created Interim Management Committee.
Speaking at a media conference yesterday in his ministry’s boardroom Anthony said, according to GINA, that it was only after the board failed in its mandate to resolve the numerous problems that plagued the institution that the government stepped in. The GCB, prior to the present Ramsey Ali administration, was divided into two factions and allegations of financial improprieties and executive lawlessness were levelled at it.
The formation of the IMC, which happened after last year’s controversial Annual General Meeting in July and a ruling by Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, did not find favour with the West Indies Cricket Board since government intervention is frowned upon by the International Cricket Council. However, the minister reiterated yesterday that “our courts have territorial jurisdiction and our courts have made a ruling and we are carrying out that ruling.” It has been pointed out by analysts that whereas Anthony says there was a ruling, the Chief Justice only offered a recommendation that the government should act.
Anthony added, according to GINA, “The WICB is a regional body and they have to respect what the member country’s court would have ruled.”
According to the minister, the problems affecting Guyana’s cricket administration are not unique to this country but the government is going further by taking a proactive stance to fix them. He pointed out also that if persons cannot be involved at the IMC level then they can offer their inputs at various committee levels.
Answering queries on the GCB’s request to have Clive Lloyd’s appointment as head of the IMC rescinded, Anthony said that “from the point of view of the government, we have no intention of doing so.”
“We have appointed Mr. Lloyd to lead the IMC because of his profound knowledge and experience with cricket and we think that he is the best person to do so”, Anthony stated.
Meantime, the life of the IMC should be six months where after it is expected that a new constitution will be drafted for adoption by the GCB and its constituent boards. This was outlined in the terms of reference, along with: (a) To recommend and implement steps to formalise the status of the GCB including consideration of the need for legislation, incorporation or such other process as required to provide appropriate legal status; and; (b) To prepare a proposal for the comprehensive cricket development programme for Guyana.
