Nevis’ Cricket chief Ronald Powell stated yesterday that he would be willing to continue as the President of the Nevis Crciket Association for at least another year.  ‘I am not one to quit when the going gets rough’, Powell declared.

Powell was at the time being interviewed on the popular Choice Radio’s Sports Rap program.
Powell noted that despite certain challenges, his Association has had a tremendous year.

He pointed to the fact that all of the tournaments organized by his Association were duly completed, complete with prize giving ceremony and he further noted the success of the Nevis junior teams and even more significantly the Nevis’ senior team’s  return to its winning ways , as the team cupped the Leeward Islands T-20 series held earlier in the year. This has been the team’s first hold of a trophy for quite a number of years.

On the negative side, Powell referred to the current state of the finances of his Associations as ‘low’ and appealed to the corporate citizens on the island to step forward and assist in the  development of the game.  He also made mention of an allegation brought against three of the island’s senior players and indicated that investigations are still ongoing but assured the listeners that his Association is doing its utmost  in order to finally put the matter to rest. He noted that he had received a verbal and a written report from  Manager Malcolm Ramsey. but that he had written to the LICA who in turn had made contact with the relevant authorities in St.Maarten where the alledged incident had taken place seeking to get written documentation on the issue.

The St.Maarten authorities had since responded that the Nevis Cricket Association needs to be represented by a ‘Public Defender.  Since then Powell noted that he had sought assistance from the Hon Patrice Nisbett, the Attorney  General of St.Kitts –Nevis.

Hon Nisbett in turn, had written to the St.Maarten authorities requesting documentation on the alledged incident but up to the present time, this has not been forthcoming. Powell noted that until the investigation is complete, the three cricketers in question will be able to play at the local level and also to represent Nevis.

When questioned about the annual general meeting which is yet to be held, Powell indicated that certain circumstances had forced a delay in the calling of the AGM. He however assured the listeners that plans are in place for the AGM to be held within the first or second week of January 2010.

‘When we weigh everythiong, the Nevis Cricket Association has done remarkably well, despite the negatives that occurred during the year.

Powell stated that he had consulted with his family members and close friends and his mind was made up not to quit but to keep on going at the helm of the Association. For at least another year.

Powell further stated that there are exciting times ahead for Nevis cricket:  One of the major regional teams may well be playing the Leeward Islands at the ETW Park, come March and there are  lots of possibilities coming out of a renewed link between himself and the new President of the St.Kitts Crciket Association which may well result in St.Kitts and Nevis teams playing more matches in the new year and even an umpoire exchange program.