Extremely open discussions were the order of the day when the Clive Lloyd headed Interim Management Committee (IMC) wrapped up its series of public consultation meetings over the weekend.
Lloyd, assisted by Roger Harper, Bissondyal Singh, Keith Booker and Ronald Williams, visited the Uitvlught Community Centre ground and the Providence Community Centre Ground yesterday.
On Saturday he met with stakeholders of Guyana’s cricket at the Carifesta Sports Complex.
Overall just under 100 people showed up at the three venues over the two-days and patrons who represented the respective districts spoke frankly to Lloyd and members of his head table about their views on the IMC.
They also discussed issues affecting cricket in their respective areas.
At the Carifesta Ground, a woman, seemingly in support of the implementation of the IMC, stated that she felt that based on newspaper and television reports, that the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) was winning the public relations (PR) battle – or that the IMC was being painted in a bad light.
In response to that observation, Lloyd said that the point was taken and that the IMC will consider employing a Public Relations representative to articulate their position better since the few press conferences they have held have not been enough.
A gentleman who described himself as a general sports fan, who enjoys going to major sporting events, felt the removal of upcoming cricket matches from Guyana by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) was depriving him of something he cherishes while another gentleman expressed his disappointment at the speed of the IMC’s work to date and questioned if at this rate, whether the IMC can really accomplish what they have set out to do in the stipulated six-month time frame.
Lloyd admitted that things have been slow but assured the gentleman and the audience that once he is in charge the IMC will get the job done in time.
Lastly, a former cricketer said he supported the IMC since he thought the GCB was not doing enough for cricket for many years.
But, he added, he was not pleased that more current cricketers did not come to the meeting since he knows from conversations with them, they have many questions to ask.
He added that he felt that most persons are afraid
to be associated with the IMC, since there could be repercussions by the GCB in terms of team selection.
Over at the Uitvlught ground which had a solid turnout of 41 persons, Lloyd was told that the ground was being damaged a lot given that three sporting disciplines (Cricket, Football and Hockey) are currently played there.
Criticisms were also levelled at West Demerara Cricket Board President Anand Sanasie who, some stated, was not doing enough for cricket administration in the area.
And, at the Providence Community Centre Ground, executives of the East Bank Cricket Board and the representatives of the local Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) were in a heated debate with regards to the cricket board in that area unable to get the use of grounds in the area controlled by the NDC.
Lloyd suggested that a potential solution to the problem could be that one or two clubs on the East Coast use the Providence National Stadium.
The IMC’s next public consultation will be held at the Anna Regina office on Wednesday from 1pm.
