Dear Editor,
The resignation of Mr Sheik Ahmad as the President of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) was surprising, although at the same time predictable. His courageous leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering a united board and elevating the county’s cricketers were the hallmark of his tenure. The timing however was sudden, especially given the precarious state of cricket in Guyana. This notwithstanding, he was a true patriot of the game and Essequibians are immensely proud of his contribution.
The Essequibo Cricket Board’s AGM held on June 23 paved the way for the election of a new president, and the result was unanimously in favour of Mr Prince Holder. His elevation no doubt will ensure that the membership of the board remains cohesive and transparent, while he must find a way of displaying a new brand of leadership that will give Essequibo the recognition it deserves both on and off the field. It is indeed an exciting and challenging time for the administration of the game in Guyana, and Essequibo will once again be tested and solicited for support by the key stakeholders at the helm of the GCB. The new leader, however, must immediately dissociate himself and the board from the politics of deception, personal aggrandizement and favours, and ensure that the board’s support is reflective of a genuine need for the sport to return to the glory days of Clive Lloyd and Roger Harper.
Mr Holder has the capacity and vision to build new bridges of corporate and administrative partnerships, given the sporting background which made him a national long-distance athlete and former cricketer for Essequibo.
He has transformed cricket in north Essequibo, and has tirelessly given voluntary service for the continued rise of numerous young cricketers who yearn for guidance, financial support and even a path towards gaining a quality education. It is those inherent qualities which can cause him to make a significant impact on the administration of the game in Essequibo, and by extension the GCB. His tenure will be short since the board’s Biennial General Meeting is scheduled for January 2013, but he must be up and running like the successful athlete he once was and secure his own legacy for the ECB.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
