GCB hails appointment of President Ali as Chair of CARICOM Sub-Committee on Cricket

Press Release from the Guyana Cricket Board

The President, Executive and Members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) are extremely pleased with the recent announcement that Guyana’s President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been appointed the new Chairman of the CARICOM Sub-Committee on Cricket.

This announcement was made by outgoing Chairman Dr. Keith Rowley during the final day of the 48^th Regional Heads of Government Meeting held in Barbados last Friday.

Dr. Ali has over time demonstrated his considerable love for the game with his regular investment of both time and funds into the organisation and development of cricket throughout Guyana.

Indeed, he is most deserving of this appointment and in the opinion of the GCB will greatly enhance the prospects for improvement in West Indies cricket both on the field of play as well as at the administrative level.

Sir Clive Lloyd, our famed cricketing icon, had publicly supported the call for Dr. Ali’s appointment by referring to the inherent special skills of our esteemed President.

Dr. Ali’s interest in sports, particularly cricket, cannot be overemphasised since the magnitude of the funds he has invested in equipment, academies, stadiums, grounds and generally the overall development of cricket across the counties of Guyana is truly exemplary and impressive.

Congratulations are therefore in order for Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on this well-deserved appointment.

The GCB is proud of Dr. Ali’s achievements and looks forward to similar results during his tenure, especially given the poor state of our regional game as we watch the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy Tournament being played without the West Indies.

Previously, concerns were raised with CWI and CARICOM in a joint letter from the GCB and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) highlighting some of the issues as follows:

• The manipulation of international and regional tournaments/fixtures that seek to show favour and gain political mileage
• A recommendation for the rotation of the President and Vice-President of CWI instead of the three-year term with the possibility to be elected for three terms which was recently approved by stakeholders of CWI but with objections from the GCB and BCA.
• The appointment of some officials who do not measure up to the requisite requirements while other more qualified persons are overlooked.
• The importance for CWI to pursue recommendations for a long-term development plan and programme to improve our on-field cricket.

We are confident that with Dr. Ali’s astute leadership, cricket knowledge, penchant for commitment and fair play he will strongly influence the upliftment and general improvement of our beloved cricket.