ECB President promises “better days” for Essequibo cricket

Newly elected President of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), Deleep Singh, is vowing that better cricketing days are ahead for that county. He made that declaration in a recent exclusive interview with this publication.
Since the inauguration of inter-county cricket in every format over the past five decades, Essequibo teams have been the underdogs or synonymous whipping boys of cricket in Guyana. Essequibo teams has repeatedly suffered humiliation in their participation in inter-county tournaments, used primarily by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to select national teams for regional competitions.
Despite repeatedly changing administrations, ECB teams have received heavy criticism for poor performances, and blame must as well be ascribed to poor administrations.

Singh has been a stalwart cricket administrator, having served as deputy in 2002, a manifestation of his profound love for the game. Now confidence has again been restored to cricket in Essequibo with the election of Singh to the helm of the ECB. His predecessor, Alvin Johnson, was iconic in his own way, but Singh is brimming with confidence that he can transfer the game to a more admirable way.
He has said that cricket is already on the rise in that vast county, the largest of the three in Guyana. He is pinning high hopes on the commitment of his team of executives, that it would be enough to engender collaborative work to see the continued development of the game.
“I must thank the people (for placing) their confidence in me. I have a great bunch of executives, and I [am] very optimistic that we all can take Essequibo cricket forward,” Singh disclosed.
Quizzed on some of the things that need urgent attention, Singh responded. “Everything is about effort. Everyone who has a position is anxious to see the growth of cricket for both the male and female (teams). Yes, there are a lot of things to be addressed and done, but it calls for commitment and good communication, and I am confident we can get there,” Singh enthusiastically said.
Singh strongly believes that proper structure is of paramount importance for success to prevail.
“We are working in conjunction with the GCB, and it is for the betterment of the game in our county. We have plans, and once they are fully executed, we are bound for progress,” Singh pointed out.
He also took the opportunity to say that female cricket is extremely high on the agenda, and that former Essequibo and Guyana player Wazeeda Bacchus has been assigned to help with the functioning of that aspect of the ECB plan.
Bacchus has been elected Public Relations Officer of the ECB. Singh has said that because of the geography of the county, things can be challenging, but that is not a deterring factor for him, as he wants to see each area Committee equally benefited.
He noted that the hostel at Anna Regina is in a deplorable state, and has promised to work assiduously to get that facility back in order, because it can accommodate players. A practice part was also built, but is currently in an unplayable state. Singh further explained that grounds would be ready for cricket activities throughout the year.
Singh, a prominent businessman on the Essequibo Coast, brings to administration a wealth of experience, and has reasoned that good governance is also critically vital to continued development. He is desirous of seeing young, aspiring Essequibian cricketers play at the highest level, but grassroot and fundamental cricket is important, and he is assuring everyone that great emphasis would be placed thereon by the ECB.