A solution to the impasse between the government and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) with respect to the Cricket Administration Bill (CAB) passed by the previous government last year might be arrived at shortly.
According to a press release from the GCB, Education Minister Rupert Roopnaraine has promised to resume the dialogue between the WICB, the GCB and the government in an effort to arrive at a solution.
Roopnaraine made the commitment following discussions with President of the WICB, Dave Cameron and his vice president Emmanuel Nanthan who were in Guyana last week as part of the WICB’s Town House meetings.
According to the release, Cameron expressed his disappointment that the past government’s commitment to amend the act was not honoured as the WICB had in the past had expressed its dissatisfaction and concerns with the bill and the new constitution which the bill sought to enforce on the three county boards that comprise the GCB.
“Minister Roopnarine promised to continue dialogue to ensure that a solution is found so that the business of cricket can take priority and the continued good performance of the national teams are enhanced,” stated the release.
“The WICB and GCB is also grateful that the new Minister of Education, who oversees sports in our country, was eager to meet with officials of the WICB to plan strategies that would pave a way forward for cricket development in our country and region,” the release added.
Schools cricket
Roopnaraine, whose ministry is also responsible for Sport, was also brought up to speed with plans for secondary and primary schools cricket leagues and the subsequent integration of secondary schools’ cricketers into the club system.
“Minister Roopnaraine expressed his delight to hear of the macro plans to improve cricket in the schools’ system in Guyana and the region at large,” the release stated adding that Minister Roopnaraine was also given the assurance that international cricket would be returning to Guyana next year adding that the specifics will be discussed at a later date.
The WICB Town Hall Meetings are intended to enlighten the general public about the work of the oldest regional institution and to listen to the concerns of regional stakeholders.
While in Guyana Cameron and Nanthan met with the some of the officials responsible for resolving some of the problems affecting cricket in Guyana.
