(Edited version of a New Year’s Day statement from the Guyana Cricket Board)
“We take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese a bright and prosperous new year and trust that better sense will prevail in these troubling times.
Our year begins on a very uncertain note, with many unfounded allegations circling our organization; we would like to take this opportunity to clear the air in the spirit of cleansing that is ushered in with the advent of 2012 and put aside all of the controversies manufactured during the past few years once and for all. The GCB has been largely quiet on dealing with these issues but desires to commence this year on a positive note.
The GCB has been subjected to an audit every year of Mr. Chetram Singh’s presidency through the well respected firm, Barcellos Narine & Company and these are all available for perusal by the general public.
With prudent management Mr. Singh has led the board to financial security while also ensuring that systems were put in place to continue this accountability past his tenure.
Amidst the continuous allegations of financial impropriety, the Government of Guyana, through then Minister Manzoor Nadir and the Friendly Societies Registrar, conducted a five-month audit and investigation in 2011; the GCB passed this audit and investigation with a clean bill of health. However, the Rupert Foster (auditor) report has never been released to the public. In an effort to put this financial impropriety matter finally to rest, we demand that the Rupert Foster Report be released immediately without delay.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, caused the GCB to pay almost one million dollars to a firm called “Design and Construction Limited,” for a forensic audit of its hostels, which was another bone of contention. The results are available to the minister and the public. The GCB was cleared of any wrongdoing and has always sought to conduct its affairs using best practices.
These hostels have proven to be very prudent investments by the board.
There has been much talk that the GCB or some member of its executive was involved in some way with the acid dousing of Mr. Pretipaul Jaigobin, the former Assistant Treasurer of the board. Whilst we have shown much restraint in our response, out of respect for the victim, the recent reiteration of this heinous allegation by the East Coast Cricket Board has forced us to remove the gloves. Mr. Jaigobin would be well advised to make a complaint to the Guyana Police Force and fully cooperate with the Police investigation.
His blaming of the GCB and his involvement with cricket administration has brought much confusion to an issue that seems to stem entirely from his personal life and choices.
Mr. Jaigobin’s excuse for not making a formal report to the police because of fear for his life do not synchronize with his comrades using his attack for their benefit.
In 2010 the Government of Guyana through President Jagdeo, its Sports Ministry and subject minister Dr. Frank Anthony, agreed to a G$20,000,000 sponsorship of the Guyana National Team for the Airtel Champions League tournament, half of that amount remains outstanding and represents the amount due to the team.
The scant disregard shown to our players by the ministry (MCYS) is troubling since the GCB wrote to the minister more than once and has to date received no written response.
The GCB president was verbally advised we were not going to be paid as the team had not won any matches.
The public should know that sponsorship was already secured from an Indian conglomerate when President Jagdeo instructed the GCB to cancel the contract.
We can assure you that while the GCB does not receive any funding from the government, our organization is today more financially secure than it has ever been in its 60-years history, which is entirely due to the commitment, honesty and dedication of its voluntary officers.
2011 can be regarded as the ‘Year of the Legal Non-entity”, a wonderful phrase that seems to apply only to the GCB; there are many other legal non-entities performing important functions in our country that are being disregarded.
The GCB has since taken steps to correct this anomaly and will be able to announce shortly its completion of this process; our member boards will all undergo scrutiny of their electoral process and audits of their organizations and procedures as part of this regularization exercise.
Our board stands strongly with our players and would like to continue its preparation of our national team to participate in the Regional T20 tournament scheduled to commence in a week’s time. Already the board has had to cancel the two practice matches which were scheduled to be held on the January 5 and 6 as the operations of the board has been restricted by the Ministry placing padlocks on our offices. Our encampment is scheduled to resume on January 3 (today) and the team is supposed to leave our shores on January 7 and we urge the Government to stop playing political games with the livelihood of our players and their families and allow the administration to function smoothly and unhindered.
The WICB has reiterated its recognition of the GCB as the sole cricketing administration for Guyana and we should be allowed to fulfill our mandate without any hindrance.
Our next election of GCB office bearers are due in January of 2013, we fully expect to be in compliance with all of the features of a modern sport organization well before this date.
We reiterate our willingness to work with all concerned parties for the advancement of our beautiful game.
Once again we wish all of you a happy and prosperous new year.”
The Guyana Cricket Board
