GCB, DCB, GFF and Albion mourn death of Jaigobin

The Guyana Cricket Board, Demerara Cricket Board, Guyana Football Federation and Albion Community Centre Cricket Club have expressed sadness at the passing of Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board and the Economic and Financial Analyst of the European Union Task Force Unit of Ministry of Finance, Pretipaul Jaigobin.

Joint message from the Guyana Cricket Board and Demerara Cricket Board

It was with profound sorrow that the staff and the recently-elected Executives of both the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) learnt of the vehicular accident on Thursday, April 1, 2021 that resulted in the tragic death of Pretipaul Jaigobin, the Treasurer of both Boards.

Pretipaul was reportedly travelling from Mahdia to the Ministry of Finance after completing a COVID 19 assignment when the accident occurred.  He was an Economic and Financial Analyst of the European Union Task Force Unit of that Ministry.

Jai, as he was popularly known, was well liked and respected; his congeniality, humility and sense of humour endeared him to many.  Pretipaul had been an active and trusted Cricket Administrator for over twenty (20) years with a vast knowledge of the game, especially in relation to cricket records and statistics.

His contributions to the deliberations and decisions at cricket meetings, especially on financial issues and effective governance were invaluable. Jai had a special affinity for youth cricket. His professional approach helped in the stimulation of affirmative action in cricket administration.  He was constantly looking at ways to improve the accounting and marketing procedures.

He had previously served on the GCB as the Assistant Treasurer during the period 2009 to 2011. In May 2011, shortly after a particularly tumultuous meeting of the GCB Executive Committee, he was badly burnt with acid by an unknown assailant and spent forty-two (42) days in the Georgetown Hospital.

Jai was a stalwart and contributed immensely during the long struggle for accountability and legality at both the GCB and the DCB.  In February of this year, he was elected Treasurer of the DCB at the court-supervised elections of that Board.

On March 29, 2021 he was elected Treasurer of the GCB at the elections convened by the Cricket Ombudsman in accordance with the Guyana Cricket Administration Act, No. 14 of 2014. It is sadly ironic that Jai died just after so much was achieved after that long struggle.

Pretipaul’s passing is a tremendous loss to the wider cricket fraternity.  It is with heartfelt grief that the Executives of the GCB and the DCB and the staff members extend sincere sympathy to his family, relatives and friends. Please be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of bereavement.

Message from Albion Community Centre Cricket Club

The President, Executives and Members of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club are deeply saddened with the tragic death of Prittipaul Jaigobin, the recently elected Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Economic Advisor and Financial Analyst, attached to the Ministry of Finance.

“The news of Prittipaul Jaigobin’s death is very depressing and we at the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club would like to express our sincere condolences to his family, other relatives, the President and Executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Ministry of Finance. Although death is inevitable, it is never easy to lose a love one; however, we must console ourselves that God knows the best and readjust our minds to embrace such situation. We pray that God will comfort his family and love ones during this very difficult period and may his soul Rest in Peace.”

Message from the Guyana Football Federation

The Guyana Football Federation on Saturday paid tribute to Ministry of Finance analyst and former GFF Audit and Compliance Committee member Pretipaul Jaigobin, who died in a road accident near Mabura.

A highly-respected economics and financial policy expert, Jaigobin joined the GFF’s Audit and Compliance Committee in 2016. The committee plays a vital role in monitoring the responsible management of GFF finances and ensuring strict compliance with FIFA’s rules and regulations.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of such an upstanding and well-regarded member of the community,” GFF President Wayne Forde said. “On behalf of the Guyana Football Federation and the entire football community, I would like to send my thoughts, prayers and condolences to Jai’s family at this tragic time.”

“Jai had been a valued member of one of the GFF’s most important oversight bodies. He will be greatly missed by us all,” Forde said.