GCB members banned from National Stadium until…

The longstanding feud between the Government of Guyana and the ‘Guyana Cricket Board’ (GCB) took another twist with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport implementing a ban of the body’s members from the Providence National Stadium effective immediately.

This follows a statement from Minister Charles Ramson on Tuesday, in which he denied a request from the GCB for the use of the National Stadium and also denounced the legitimacy of the said body during a visit to the facility.

Minister Ramson was at the time replying to an article published in two daily newspapers that suggested the recently held Kashif and Shanghai Bounce Back Football Tournament which was played at the Stadium had ‘severely’ damaged the pitch.

Earlier on Thursday, the Ministry posted a statement to their social media platforms in response to a ‘GCB’ press release.

“As a consequence of a failed attempt to denigrate the Guyana National Stadium and to maliciously incite public disquiet by an illegitimate body purporting to call itself the “Guyana Cricket Board” by causing to be published images of the ground which have proven to be false, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has taken a decision to prohibit entry of the members of the illegitimate body to the Guyana National Stadium ground with immediate effect until there is full compliance with the restored Cricket Administration Act.” the release noted.

However, the Ministry noted; “being mindful of the careers of the players who will be participating in the Super50 regional tournament, we will, therefore, permit access to the Guyana National Stadium to players and coaches only.”

In addition the statement revealed that the Ministry continues to engage the President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) regularly and has formally requested an urgent meeting to brief CWI on the recent developments.

Currently there is a pending Order from the Court of Appeal, which should stipulate a date in the coming weeks for the Demerara Cricket Board election.

Once that has passed, it will pave the way for an election of a legitimate Guyana Cricket Board.

Suggested photos: Minister Ramson and a photo of the National Stadium