Dear Editor,
There has been a prolonged drought in relation to cricket competitions in the county of Essequibo and as a former executive member of the Essequibo Cricket Board, I am appalled at the current state of affairs. The Essequibo Cricket Board comprises eight area committees, namely, Bartica, East Bank, Leguan, Wakenaam, Pomeroon, North, Central and South Essequibo. During the past three years, with the exception of the annual senior Busta one-day tournament, no other competition has been held for either the junior or senior players. This scenario is totally unacceptable, and indicates gross neglect by the ECB in relation to cricket development in the county. Where is the much touted assistance from the Guyana Cricket Board given that the ECB is the only legitimate Board that is preserving the life of the GCB?
The morale of the players has been shattered by mistrust, and there are very few opportunities for them to showcase their talent. In addition, the selection of inter-county teams is always done in a cloud of uncertainty. In fact in several instances the various committees are asked to submit names for possible selection without there being any trial matches or competitions. One is left to conclude, therefore, that perhaps players are being selected by placing their names in a bag and arriving at a team. At a time when the GCB has been swift to offer congratulatory messages to the World Cup winning West Indies under19 team, they have failed the ECB and the younger players who are eager to emulate their peers. I am not convinced that this trend will be reversed soon since the game seems to be played more in the courts than on the field. Where is the active plan of the CDC, and will Essequibo receive one of the many brush-cutters which were recently acquired by the GCB?
Recently an Essequibo team was selected to participate in a tournament in Berbice and surprisingly no one from North Essequibo was eligible. Ironically though, North Essequibo has the most active and progressive committee (it plays the most competitions) within the county and has produced the most inter-county players in its history. The selectors have been blatantly dismissive of the players from North, especially one selector whose committee has not played a single competition for over four years! Reforms at the level of the ECB are inevitable since the leadership is at its lowest ebb resulting in the degradation of the sport and the disenchantment of players. Essequibians deserve better management especially when there has been stout resistance on the part of the executives including at the level of the GCB to allow the use of the ECB Hostel for cricket purposes. Yet it has been made readily available for other purposes which are contributing to its rapid deterioration. The Hostel is indeed a true reflection of the stagnant growth of Essequibo’s cricket.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
