By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – With the 2020 cricket season fast approaching, the Canadian Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA) has sought to put its ‘house’ in order with the holding of the entity’s annual general meeting and election of office-bearers last Saturday.

The meeting, held at Concorde Gate, Toronto, saw popular businessman, Albert Ramcharran, and the entire executive body being retained, which meant that Bisham Singh is still the vice-president; Azad Khan – secretary; Vish Jadunauth – treasurer; and Mathew Francis – Education Committee chairman. The new post of secretary/treasurer went to Guyana Chronicle freelance reporter, Frederick Halley.

Prior to the election of office-bearers, the members unanimously adopted a proposal to dissolve the Scarborough Cricket Umpires Association (SCUA), thereby making the CCUA the lone governing body for cricket in Scarborough. The proposal to merge the two bodies was initiated at last year’s annual general meeting and met with the approval of the majority of members.

The Guyana-born Ramcharran was also president of the SCUA) and is currently head of the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL), but has made his intentions clear to vacate the latter post when the annual general meeting takes place on March 8.

In his report to members, Ramcharran stressed the importance of accountability, pointing out that “I am not prepared to serve in any association where accountability is not taken seriously.”

The meeting was also blessed with the presence of Vivian Johnson, secretary of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) who spoke about the proposed exchange programmes among member states. This programme, which will see qualified umpires being given the opportunity to do mainly club matches out of Canada and their counterparts doing the same in Toronto, is slated to get underway during this season.

As part of its ongoing effort, the CCUA, which is affiliated to WICUA, will commence its annual seminars shortly. These seminars cater for aspiring umpires and those who are seeking to upgrade their skills.

Apart from Canada, other members of the WICUA are Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, United States and Windward Islands.

Among the affiliated bodies are the Masters Cricket Umpires Association, Ottawa Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association, Waterloo Cricket Umpires Association, Valley Green Cricket Umpires Association and Montreal Cricket Umpires Association.