West Indies Cricket Board officials have thrown their full support behind the embattled Guyana Cricket Board.
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 their 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 recognised entity responsible for the management of cricket in Guyana and is a shareholder of the WICB,” said a letter from WICB president Julian Hunte 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 recognises the GCB as the sole legitimate authority for the administration of cricket in Guyana.
“In addition, the GCB is the only body that can organise 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”.
“I recall our meeting in Georgetown where the WICB expressed the view that the Government should not act to replace the GCB with the interim management committee, but instead act in an advisory capacity,” said Hunte.
“I am also informed by the GCB that they have expressed the same view to you and have offered to work in parallel with the IMC and yourself to address the issues and concerns that you have with cricket administration in Guyana.”
Hunte stated firmly that the WICB could not accept the interference of the Government of Guyana in the administration of the game in Guyana and could not accept the dissolution of the recognised GCB.
“For the sake of clarity, the WICB is not opposed to any Government investigating the affairs of a member board in order to ascertain whether any criminal offence has been committed, including fraud, dereliction of directors’ duties (including fiduciary duties) or contravention of any relevant legislation,” he said.
“We believe however, that the dissolution of a member board is not in keeping with the spirit of ensuring the independence of cricket administration and avoiding governmental interference.”
(Source http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/WICB_backing_Guyanese_officials__-136711648.html)
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