Sports Minister, Charles Ramson Jr., along with other members of his ministry, met recently with the Guyana Cricket board (GCB) to discuss the way forward as it relates to funding from the government.
This is according to a release by the board.
Also at the meeting were Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad and members of the GCB, President Bissoondyal Singh, Clarence Brotherson (public relations officer), Colin Stuart (territorial development officer, Anthony D’Andrade (assistant development officer) and Kavita Yadram (TDO/administrative assistant).
According to the release, Minister Ramson Jnr., has committed to a “substantial funding of major under-19 competitions subject to budgetary analysis.”
“This meeting was essential since the Marketing Committee of the GCB continues to valiantly seek to secure sustainable sponsorship for several competitions for 2023 onwards,” the release stated. Singh provided an overview while Stuart led the presentation for training and competitions where he outlined the GCB’s strategic plan for 2023 relating to players development.
“Minister Charles Ramson commended the GCB for their efforts to develop, administer and promote cricket in Guyana to the extent that the GCB continues to produce players of the highest quality for Guyana and the West Indies,” the release stated.
“He indicated, that the Government of Guyana and its affiliate Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport [MCYS] continue to examine purposeful and realistic ways of developing and promoting sports, in this instance cricket in Guyana,” the release added.
“Minister Ramson indicated that the Under-19 stage is a critical development area capable of providing the proficient transition of talented players from youth to senior-level cricket. In this regard, GOG and MCYS will 2023 provide realistic funding support for Under-19 School Cricket, a National Inter-Club tournament, and the GCB’s Inter-County tournaments of Super 50 and Three-Day matches,” stated the release.
The Minister mentioned that it is expected that the GCB will utilize the improved weather conditions to run off several of its activities.
Singh praised Minister Ramson, his Ministry, and GOG.
“Funding is not always easy to obtain, especially when one is exploring ways to secure sustainable funding for both training and competitions. We, the GCB would like to thank GOG, MCYS, and you Minister Ramson for taking the initiative to support the GCB in such a big way. We agree that the Under-19 tournament is an essential cricket development pathway, and we welcome the considerations put forward by you to substantially support the funding of our Under-19 National Competitions.”
Meanwhile, GCB indicated that the body has taken a decision to postpone its tournaments scheduled for February including the GCB/Republic Bank Under-23 Inter-Club Knock Tournament (Super 50), GCB Senior Inter-County Tournament (Women), and the GCB Under-17 Inter-County.
The Senior Inter-County Four-Day Tournament is tentatively scheduled to be played from February 25, during the break of the West Indies Championship which is currently in progress.
The most recent inclement weather has caused the delay in the preparation of the grounds earmarked for this tournament, forcing the GCB to make this decision. The new dates for the tournament will be announced shortly.
