Berbice officials support government takeover of GCB

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):Berbice officials have congratulated the government for their appointment of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to supervise the affairs of cricket in the country.

This is part of the fallout from a legal challenge about the legitimacy of the current Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) executive after the last annual general meeting, when there was an election of officers.

The move by the government to take over the running of the sport and install the committee headed by Clive Lloyd followed a ruling by Chief Justice Ian Chang last August.

"Even though it was long overdue, we still consider this move timely and we fully support the members named so far," the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) said in a media release yesterday.

"With West Indies icon Clive Lloyd heading the committee, there is no doubt that all genuine lovers of the game in this country will support the initiative."

LEGITIMACY IN QUESTION

The BCB said the move by the government was absolutely necessary since it had serious questions about the legitimacy of the GCB.

"Every organisation and individual is answerable to someone and the ... Guyana Cricket Board is no exception," said the media release.

" ... We are confident that the IMC will correct this situation and return (the game) to where it belongs (in Guyana)."

The BCB media release added: "We are in full support of the intervention and we must not be afraid of the threats ... that Guyana's cricket will suffer.

"The cricket is suffering anyhow, and an effort to correct the situation by the government should be welcomed by all."

The BCB said they looked forward to the IMC putting things in place and questioned the role of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

"It is still baffling as to why the WICB accepted and recognised (the current GCB) knowing the circumstances that surrounded the elections," said the media release.