Minister Henry to meet with Cricket Ombudsman

Jul 29, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....h-cricket-ombudsman/

Election of Cricket Boards process to begin

The Guyana Cricket Board’s two-man delegation (GCB) comprising its Secretary Anand Sanasie and Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith along with representatives of Guyana Cricket Stakeholder were invited to meet with Attorney General Basil Williams and Sports Minister Nicolette Henry at the AG’s office yesterday.
The two delegations and the Media were told by Williams that the way was now clear for Elections of the GCB and its Affiliate members since the Challenge to the Guyana Cricket Act from the GCB, which was upheld by the then Chief Justice Ian Chang on April 29, 2015 resulting in an injunction stopping the Elections had been quashed.
The then Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony and AG Anil Nandlall were named as defendants but before the matter was completed a new Government was voted into power.
“We inherited this injunction from the previous Administration but legally if nothing happens after a year the injunction is abandoned and incapable of revival,” said AG Williams.
This effectively means that elections of all boards can now hold elections but the GCB has now appealed the decision made by the Sports Minister to meet with the Ombudsman (appointed by Dr Anthony) Pastor Dr. Winston McGowan to set an early date for the County and Guyana Board elections.
Henry said she contacted Dr. McGowan on Thursday but he was otherwise occupied and promised the meet with her next week to set a date for the elections.
“I will act as Minister of Sports to insure due process is followed and will engage the Ombudsman next week for elections to be held as early as possible,” Henry disclosed.
Minister Henry added that Cricket is Guyana’s National sports and told those involved in its administration they must find ways to work together and resolve issues.
Former Demerara Cricket Board member Ronald Williams described yesterday’s news as a victory for the Stakeholders.
“I am very satisfied with the way the matter was handled by the Attorney General and Madam Minister Henry. After Seven years this is great news that elections can now be held,” Williams stated.
Sanasie feels the GCB had not been give a fair chance to present their case but promised to work with the ‘real’ stakeholders and to follow the rules of the Ombudsman.
“The previous Administration put together a bill without the GBC’s agreement on some key issues but we are ready for elections tomorrow (today),” stated Sanasie who said the East Coast Cricket Board failed to hold elections for six years.
Sanasie believe that the GCB is doing a good job and pointed to the success of the National team to prove his point, while noting that he will not only be seeking re-election but he might even run for the Presidency of the Board.
East Coast Cricket Board President Bissoon Singh said that Sanasie saying that the ECCB had no elections for six years showed how he deliberately wants to mislead the nation.
Among the Stakeholders yesterday were former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, former Mayor General Norman Mclean and representatives of the ECCB, Berbice Cricket Board, Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), Essequibo Cricket Board and the Upper Demerara Cricket Association.
(Sean Devers)