Cricket Historian Dr Winston McGowan has been appointed as Guyana’s first Cricket Ombudsman and will be responsible for calling the elections of the three constituent members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB); Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) and Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in accordance with the provisions of Cricket Administration Law which was assented to by President Ramotar in August after the ‘Cricket Bill’ was enacted in Parliament on June 20.
The post of Cricket Ombudsman is new to Guyana and is a feature of the recently enacted Cricket Administration law. After the County Board elections are completed in a proper manner McGowan is mandated to call the GCB elections, before the nine members from each of the three County Boards appoints an Ombudsman to settle any possible problem in the Administration of cricket.
The full time Ombudsman will be elected by the three County Boards since the appointment by the Minister is a one-time job and his role is now finished as far as his involvement in the Administration of cricket in Guyana is concerned. A new Ombudsman or the same person could be re-elected.
The announcement of the appointment of the Cricket Ombudsman was made yesterday by Head of the Presidential Secretariat in the Office of the President Dr Roger Luncheon at his weekly briefing.
“Dr Winston McGowan is the first cricket Ombudsman of Guyana. Dr McGowan was appointed Ombudsman by Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, and this was subsequent to Cabinet’s approval,” the Cabinet Secretary informed.
McGowan, once a professor at the University of Guyana, is also a pastor with a comprehensive knowledgeable of cricket in particular its history and many in the cricket fraternity are confident McGowan’s integrity will not easily be compromised by anyone.
The Elections of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) are yet to be held but the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) elections have been already completed.
However, according to a well placed source, McGowan could request an audit and if he is satisfied with the results and endorse the elections or he could call a new elections for the BCB.
(Kaieteur News)