Essequibo Cricket Board President owes Beaton a public apology

Dear Editor,
It was with deep disappointment that I read an article in the May 3, 2018 edition of the State-owned newspaper under the headline “Bacchus defends Essequibo Cricket Board, Guyana Cricket Board on Beaton’s bowling ban”.
Disappointed because over 30 years as a club official at the St Francis Youth Club and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), I have learnt that leaders must be compassionate and respectful to those they represent.
It is simply unbelievable that acting President of the Guyana Cricket Board would push Ronsford Beaton further down the tunnel when all he needs is love, compassion and a helpful hand to overcome what is surely a temporary setback.

The million-dollar question is why has Beaton being allowed to represent Essequibo, Guyana and the West Indies over the years if he is too indiscipline. Why has the Essequibo Cricket Board not provided the necessary counselling for this talented player, who was the first player from the county of play for the West Indies as Ramnaresh Sarwan is identified as a Demerara player.

I am in total shock that a national cricket leader would attack a West Indies player and say you cannot talk to him. Respect is earned over a period of time, if a player has your full confidence and respects you, he would talk to you. In this modern world where youths have more independence than the past generations, leaders have to show love, compassion and most importantly, respect the opinions of youths.
We must show patience when they are quick to react, to show compassion when they need it and as a cricket administrator, we must always put their development ahead of our own agenda. Our mission must be service to them and not the other way around. Cricket administrators when they leave their positions must be remembered for making positive differences and not for any selfish motives.
As President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, I have worked overtime to develop working relationships with each one of the players. I want them to view me as a big brother, a friend and their biggest supporter.
I would be there at any time of the day to offer love when it is needed, to lift up their spirits when it is down and to make sure that I do everything in my power to assist them to fulfil their full potentials.
No amount of indiscipline would stop me or the BCB from reaching out to our players as we should always remember that even if a clock stops working, it still carries the correct time two times per day. Berbice players such as Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Eon Hooper, Clinton Pestano, Gudakesh Motie, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Tremayne Smartt and others know they have a friend who would defend them at all cost and they have the full confidence that there is always a shoulder to lean on. Of course, if they exceed the discipline level, they also know that the book would be thrown at them to face full penalty. This would be done within chambers and not in any daily newspaper.
I would like to extend best wishes to Ronsford Beaton for the future and to reassure him that in the BCB and Hilbert Foster you have friends. We are willing to assist in any way possible and we would stand by your side in both bad and good times.
I personally think that the Essequibo Cricket Board President owes the young West Indies fast bowler a public apology. My simple advice is that love, compassion and loyalty do more than fear, disrespect or power.

Sincerely,
Hilbert Foster,
President,
BCB