_{Voice of Roger Harper via Mason and Guest}

GCB putting up a front?

By Brandon Corlette

Is it true that the more things change, the more they remain the same? A significant part of the Guyanese cricketing fans are disappointed that no Guyanese received Cricket West Indies (CWI) men retainer contracts. The disappointment for most is based on emotions; they feel their heroes have been done in by this move.

The Guyana Cricket Board (BCB) and the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) expressed concern, and the GCB even launched an investigation into the matter. Appearing on Tuesday’s Mason and Guest, CWI Lead selector Roger Harper came out with all guns blazing, as he explained that the GCB, like all other boards, had two directors that attending the last CWI Board of Directors meeting, where the presentation of the players who were offered contracts was made evident. “The opportunity was there to ask as many questions as they needed to so I am not quite sure what’s going on,” Harper disclosed.

It was also noted that the GCB release which sited that the GCB expressed great concern that Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, and Veersammy Permaul were not awarded CWI retainer contracts. However, this official release from the GCB made it look as though the GCB were unaware of the non-selection of Guyanese for CWI retainers, but that was not the case according to Harper.
GCB President Bissoondyal Singh and Vice President Hilbert Foster are CWI Directors who, according to Harper, attended the CWI board of director meeting and were fully aware of those contracted players before the matter was made public.

Below is the full GCB statement after no Guyanese were offered CWI retainer contracts

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) notes with great concern the information that Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, and Romario Shepherd were not awarded International Retainer Contracts by the Cricket West Indies (CWI). The GCB is also concern with the non-award of an International retainer contract to Veerasammy Permaul.

The GCB is not aware and was not informed of the criteria used for the award of International Retainer Contracts nor were any reasons given for the non-award of International Retainer Contract to these four (4) players. The non-award of International Retainer Contracts to these players by CWI is a matter of extreme concern to the GCB and to the Guyanese public and the GCB intends to fully investigate this matter.
The GCB has since written to CWI requesting a copy of the criteria which was used to award International Retainer Contracts and the report submitted by the selection panel on which the decision was made not to award International Retainer Contracts to Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd, and also to Veerasammy Permaul. The GCB will update the public as soon as the criteria and the report are submitted by CWI.

Below is the statement from the BCB

“The BCB would like to publicly register its disappointment at the non-selection of any Guyanese cricketer on the list of contracted players released by Cricket West Indies. “It is simply shocking that our country, which has dominated the game at the four-day level over the last few years, cannot have a single player on the list.

“The board would be very grateful if the West Indies Board can explain the non-selection of Shimron Hetmyer, Veerasammy Permaul, and Romario Shepherd from the list. “The BCB would like to register our support for our players, and also to urge them to keep knocking at the door and we are confident that they would eventually get their deserved justice. The board would also like to urge our Directors on the CWI to register our displeasure to the board, and to let the selection committee know that Guyanese deserve to be treated equally and with respect.

“BCB stands with our players, and wishes to reassure them that we would continue to stand by their side and would work hard every day to not only develop the game, but to make sure that our players are properly represented at all levels. “Members of the public are also urged to support our players, and to offer words of encouragement.” (GTimes)