Letter to the Editor…Raphael Slams Samaroo, maintains $2.5 B cricket assets illegally transferred
Jul 22, 2017 , http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....legally-transferred/
Dear Editor,Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter carried in the press on 23rd May 2017 captioned “Samaroo responds to Claude Raphael” and signed by D. Samaroo. In his missive “Samaroo” proceeded to attack Claude Raphael personally instead of addressing the pertinent issues that were raised by Raphael concerning the sudden and suspicious resignation of Dru Bahadur as President of the GCB body without properly accounting for his stewardship, especially the illegal transfer of approximately $2.5 billion of the nation’s assets to a private body.“Samaroo” instead of clarifying the critical issues queried seemed more inclined to mischief and deceit viz:1. To state that the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has always supported the GCB is deliberately misleading. The executive members of the BCB headed by Keith Foster and then Anil Beharry from 2011 to Dec 31, 2016 stated publicly that they did not recognize the GCB and also never attended any meeting including Annual General Meetings held during that period by the said GCB. Also Angela Hanif, Secretary/ Administrator of the BCB, had applied for and had obtained an injunction against the very illegal group calling itself the GCB. During the period 2011-2016 “Samaroo” was a member of the BCB Executive which continuously publicised the illegality of the GCB.2. Since the life of the BCB ended on 31st Dec 2016, “Samaroo” must tell the public how, when and by what authority he became President of the BCB, especially since there could not have been any legally-held elections of office bearers due to an injunction by dissident clubs associated with the GCB.3. “Samaroo” is a practicing Hindu, a former headmaster, a former National Umpire, a former President of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association, incumbent President of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council, a former Vice-President and Executive member of the BCB. These positions require decency, integrity and honesty. “Samaroo” must look into the mirror and ask himself if his current actions support these virtues.4. The fact that he sought to deceive by deliberately signing his name “D. Samaroo” instead of “D. Somwaru” indicates a shady agenda as for all the years I have known “Samaroo”, his name has always been spelt “Somwaru”.It is shameful and sad when supposedly intelligent persons allow themselves to be manipulated like puppets even to their own detriment. It is my view that by signing his name “Samaroo” he hopes to avoid inevitable and imminent prosecution.My request for Dru Bahadur to account for his stewardship still remains unanswered, although the GCB, the Essequibo Board and Mr. Samaroo (Somwaru) have all responded with the sole intention of vilifying my character rather than answering my questions which seemed to have disturbed them. It is noteworthy to mention that since May 23rd, 2017 Dru Bahadur has avoided any form of response to my concerns regarding his questionable presidency of the GCB. I therefore reiterate my query for him to account to the public for his stewardship especially the transfer of approximately 2.5 billion dollars in public assets to the private body incorporated as a Company No 6850 and titled “Cricket Guy Inc.” (Previously known as “DEB Essentials Organisation Inc.”) and owned solely by:Anand Sanasie (Secretary)Fizul BacchusRamsey AliAlfred MentoreDru BahadurAnand KalludeenColin EuropeTroy MendoncaTerrence HolderRayon GriffithNazimul DrepaulRaj SinghSheik AhmadThe public assets transferred from the GCB to the privately-owned Cricket Guyana Inc. are:Fixed Assets1. LBI Hostel & Practice Facility – Property2. Anna Regina Hostel – Property3. GNIC Practice Facility – Property4. GCB Office, Bourda – Property5. Media Centre, Bourda – Property6. One MinibusBank Accounts1. Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry Account No. 10848262. Demerara Bank Account No. 400-72173. Bank of Scotia Account Nos. 6717 and 73124. Republic Bank Account No. 650-556-45. New Building Society Account No. C1873Other Assets1. Furnishing2. Equipment (incl. cricket gear)3. Office contents and stationeryI am still awaiting a response from “Samaroo” and Dru Bahadur and hope it will be truthful and objective this time instead of the usual diversionary personal attacks.
Claude Raphael
Former Executive-GCB
Former Director- WICB