GCB reiterates support for President Ali, despite concerns from APNU

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has drawn strong criticism from the APNU Coalition following a public statement by GCB President Bissoondyal Singh, indicating his and the board’s endorsement of President Irfaan Ali for a second term.

The APNU Coalition has swiftly denounced the decision, describing it as “outrageous” and expressing alarm over its potential implications for the sport in Guyana.

However, the GCB is resolute in its support for President Ali.

SEE FULL STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE GUYANA CRICKET BOARD:

RESPONSE TO APNU PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 2, 2025 Captioned: “GCB ENDORSEMENT OF PRESIDENT IRFAAN ALI MUST BE CONDEMNED”

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) notes with utter disappointment and concern the press release issued by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), captioned “GCB ENDORSEMENT OF PRESIDENT IRFAAN ALI MUST BE CONDEMNED” and dated July 2, 2025.

Let us be absolutely clear: the GCB is an autonomous, apolitical organization committed to the growth and development of cricket in Guyana.

Our recognition of President Irfaan Ali is a reflection of his administration’s tangible, sustained, and unprecedented support for cricket and youth development across this nation.

This acknowledgment is not political; it is a statement of fact. But what is outrageous is that APNU is intentionally trying to confuse the public by substituting ‘Government Assistance and Competence’ with ‘Government Involvement and Interference’. We are not surprised!

President Irfaan Ali is a leader of exceptional charisma, vision, and integrity. His commitment to building One Guyana – a nation where all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or political persuasion, have the opportunity to thrive – is well known.

His support for sport, and cricket in particular, is driven by a genuine desire to uplift young people, promote national pride, and foster unity through positive engagement.

Through his hard work and dedication, President Ali has emerged as a stand-out leader in the Caribbean. No other country in the region has witnessed this level of investment and achievement in cricket development.

Under President Ali’s leadership, we have seen:

1. Record budget allocations for sport, signalling serious national investment in youth and sporting development.

2. Massive improvements in sporting infrastructure, with facilities built or upgraded nationwide, including cricket grounds, multipurpose complexes, and training centres.

3. The construction of a state-of-the-art Cricket Academy of international standard at Good Hope, a truly standout project that will be managed by the legendary Sir Clive Lloyd, one of the greatest names in world cricket.

4. The donation of cricket kits and equipment to junior cricketers in all ten administrative regions, ensuring no talent is left behind.

5. Support for grassroots and youth cricket development programs, helping restore Guyana’s standing as a regional cricketing force.

President Ali also maintains an open-door policy to the cricket fraternity and is only a phone call away.

This stands in stark contrast to the previous administration when under then President David Granger, and despite numerous attempts, members of the Cricket Fraternity were able to secure only one meeting which ultimately proved unproductive and served no useful purpose.

All of these development programs were glaringly absent during APNU’s tenure in office.

In fact, under APNU’s watch, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was relegated to a minuscule department within the Ministry of Education – a clear reflection of how little priority they placed on sport and youth development.

It was the Irfaan Ali administration, through Minister Charles Ramson Jr. working with Cricket West Indies (CWI), that ensured the Guyana Cricket Administration Act passed in 2014 was finally enforced – enabling democratic and transparent elections after years of stagnation.

APNU sat in government for five years and did nothing to resolve the crisis in cricket. Worse still, it was APNU’s own Minister of Sport who agreed to have the very Act – which APNU unanimously supported in Parliament – suspended before the Court, directly contributing to the instability that plagued cricket in Guyana.

Today, the GCB with full support from the Government of Guyana stands proud of its record. We have initiated academy programs across the country to nurture talent at all levels.

We are current Regional Four-Day Champions, and for the first time Regional Women’s T20 Champions and Under-19 Women’s Champions.

We have become a nation of champions in cricket, and this success belongs to every player, coach, administrator, and partner who have contributed to rebuilding and advancing the game.

But more importantly, it came at a time when government assistance was at its highest. We wish to remind APNU that we have a right, as an independent and autonomous body, to express our views and our gratitude.

It is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution of Guyana – the supreme law of the land – and, unlike in the past, no one will deny us this right. Our support for President Ali’s leadership, although clearly envied by some, is a privilege that we exercise freely and proudly.

It is apposite to point out that the GCB President Bissoondyal Singh and all other members of the incumbent Executives Committee were elected unopposed in March 2025 and enjoy the steadfast support and confidence of the entire membership.

In conclusion, the GCB wishes to reaffirm, with absolute conviction and unwavering confidence, our full and proud support of the leadership and presidency of Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, a visionary and unifying leader of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

We stand resolute in our belief that his dedication to the development of cricket, sport, and youth in Guyana is unmatched.”