Guyana Cricket Board distances current executive from ‘disputed investment’

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has issued a firm clarification following social media allegations regarding a “receipt trail,” stating that the financial matters in question predate the current administration by five years.

SEE PRESS RELEASE BY GUYANA CRICKET BOARD:

“The current executives of the Guyana Cricket Board wish to address and clarify statements contained in a social media article authored by Travis Chase and captioned:

“RECEIPT TRAIL SUGGESTS CRICKET BOARD FUNDS USED IN DISPUTED INVESTMENT.”

The article alleges that a financial receipt before the court indicates that funds linked to a civil dispute involving businessman Mr. Dorwain Bess were sourced from an account associated with the Guyana Cricket Board. It further references payments purportedly advanced to a company connected to Mr. Bess during a period when Mr. Anand Sanasie held a senior administrative position within the organization.

However, the article omits critical context and facts.

Specifically:

The referenced Scotiabank transfer of United States Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars (US$250,000) is dated February 5, 2016.

The transfer is purported to have been signed by A. Kalladeen.

The funds were reportedly transferred from a private company, Cricket Guyana Inc., to PETROTRIN (Trinidad Oil Company), with principals including Mr. Anand Sanasie, Mr. A. Kalladeen, and others.

The current Guyana Cricket Board Executives were elected on March 30, 2021, under the provisions of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act, an Act of Parliament which governs the administration of cricket in Guyana.

Under this legislation, the Board is mandated to ensure strict financial governance, including the preparation and submission of Audited Financial Statements (AFS).

In keeping with these statutory obligations:

Audited Financial Statements have been prepared and submitted to the National Sports Commission through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

The same financial compliance documentation has also been submitted in the process of the Board’s admission as an affiliate of the Guyana Olympic Association.

The Guyana Cricket Board further states, unequivocally, that Mr. Anand Sanasie, Mr. A. Kalladeen, and all other previous purported office holders have no connection, affiliation, or relationship whatsoever with the current legitimately elected Executives of the Guyana Cricket Board.

The present Executives categorically state that the matters referenced in the article relate to a period prior to the current administration and do not reflect the governance, financial controls, or operational practices instituted since March 2021.

The Guyana Cricket Board remains committed to transparency, accountability, and adherence to all statutory and fiduciary requirements in the administration of cricket in Guyana.”