Dear Editor,
West Indies cricket is like Guyana politics. Dead, in a coma or gravely ill. Will they return to the glory days? Doubtful, but time will tell. However, I will discuss the politics first. There is no doubt that there is far too much emphasis on race in Guyana politics, starting in the days of Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham when they parted ways in 1955. The ‘afros’ moved with Burnham after the split, but both leaders wanted window dressing. Cheddi chose Brindley Benn (a Marxist) instead of brilliant and influential Balram Singh Rai (a capitalist), while Forbes gave preference to Neville Bissember (an ‘indo’) and not the charismatic John Carter, and this trend continues to this day. PNC now has Amna Ally and Ronald Bulkan, the PPP has Robeson Benn and Bishop Edghill. It is no secret that Joe Harmon and Basil Williams run the show for the PNC and Bharrat Jagdeo controls the PPP. In fact a longtime PPP supporter said that Jagdeo is the PPP, hence the reason why he forced out former stalwarts Ralph Ramkarran, Moses Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan, the late Navin Chandarpal and others.
Jagdeo is responsible for the PPP losing office because of his alleged misdeeds while President hence the reason why many influential members and supporters mainly in the diaspora ceased to support the movement and now that he has handpicked the unimpressive Irfaan Ali, who is facing more than a dozen criminal charges to be the Presidential candidate, it will contribute to the party’s potential defeat at the next general elections. A large section of its supporters plan to abstain on Election Day. It will be the first time that someone who is facing several criminal charges will run for the highest office of the land. On the other hand APNU+AFC which should have demitted office continues merrily along in office putting things in place to remain in power. The administration is blatant and shoved off criticism from both local and international organisations and continues to function despite the no confidence motion and the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice.
The tra-la-la continues and this might go on for some time before an election date is announced. But in my view, the PPP will not win the election with Irfaan Ali as its Presidential candidate. Jagdeo should not speak about the PNC rigging when he has manipulated his party’s election to nominate a man whom he can control. This is rather selfish as he is pushing his personal agenda rather than the interests of all Guyana. He is using the Marxist system – the Central Executive Committee – in electing the presidential nominee. (The Central Executive is being controlled by the General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo) I am surprised that the senior party supporters did not protest and demand that delegates from the ten regions meet and elect a better candidate, either Anil Nandlall or Frank Anthony. A point to note is that the incumbent will not get many votes from the AFC as they did in the 2015 elections because Nagamootoo and Ramjattan have disappointed their supporters and the two former PPP top brass might not be now welcomed on the Corentyne. The Granger administration is no doubt cognizant of this fact and is playing for time.
Now a brief look at why West Indies cricket is going downhill. The current players play for money and not pride and country. They concentrate on 20/20 matches to make big bucks. The entire structure needs revamping. PJ Patterson’s recommendations should be adopted and the selectors should look at ability and not nationality. The selectors should be experienced and unbiased.
Yours faithfully,
Oscar Ramjeet
