GCB dismisses APNU concerns about Pres. Ali endorsement

Last Updated on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, 21:13 by Writer

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Wednesday rejected concerns about its endorsement of President Irfaan Ali for a second term in office.

The GCB stayed clear of responding to APNU’s worry that the board’s endorsement could amount to a violation of the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies.

The Board relied on Guyana’s constitutionally enshrined right to freedom of association in rebuffing APNU’s concerns that the endorsement of a politician could open the door to political interference in the work of the national cricket governing body. In contrast to GCB President Bissondyal Singh’s explicit endorsement of President Ali in his remarks to the Berbice Cricket Board’s Awards Ceremony on June 28, the statement did not use the word “endorse” or make any reference to the upcoming polls. 

The GCB seized the opportunity to contrast President Irfaan Ali with President David Granger and his APNU+Alliance For Change’s interest in cricket development.

Following is the full text of the GCB’s statement.

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. 

GCB reiterates its support of the Leadership and Presidency of Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali 

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. 

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