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By Peter Della Penna

The results of an independent survey to gather opinions on recent events in US cricket demonstrate an overwhelming number of respondents (90.8%) are in favor of the immediate reinstatement of USACA Secretary John Aaron. The survey also revealed a near unanimous call (96.7%) for USACA to recognize Golam Sayeed as the Central East Region’s representative on the USACA board and for USACA to publish the results of the Atlantic Region election which took place in July.

However, respondents were split virtually straight down the middle on the issue of the compliance review. Just over half (50.8%) of those who responded to a question asking, “Should voting eligibility for USACA’s forthcoming election depend on completion of review process?” responded with a yes, saying that only those leagues that have satisfactorily completed all aspects of the compliance process should be allowed to vote.

The survey also asked respondents to identify if they were an administrator of a member league. Among those in the survey pool who acknowledged being a league administrator, just 14% said they were in favor of voting eligibility dependent upon completion of the compliance review.

Image (right) - Stakeholders want USACA Secretary John Aaron (pictured at the 2011 USACA Women's Tournament) reinstated after a controversial suspension by Gladstone Dainty last month. [Courtesy: Peter Della Penna/DreamCricket]

On the question of whether or not survey takers felt that the ICC should step in to sort out USACA’s problems, 75% said they are in favor of the ICC getting involved rather than USACA resolving things internally. Among those who acknowledged being a league administrator, only 28.5% said they felt that USACA should resolve its own issues internally and respect the wishes of those chosen to represent the leagues rather than let the ICC get involved.

Survey results to essential questions below.

1. USACA President Gladstone Dainty recently announced that "after consultation with many of the USACA board members," he was suspending USACA’s Secretary John Aaron "immediately and indefinitely." How familiar are you with the circumstances surrounding the issue?

53.2% Very familiar
28.6% Somewhat familiar
18.3% Not familiar

2. Do you believe President Dainty has the constitutional authority to suspend a board member without approval from a majority of the board members?

2.4% Yes. Mr. Dainty can do what he wants.
85.7% No. Only the USACA board can suspend a member.
11.9% Other.

3. Do you want the USACA board to overturn Mr. Dainty's decision to suspend Mr. Aaron and reinvite Mr. Aaron back to the USACA board?

90.8% Yes, the USACA board should invite Mr. Aaron back immediately.
4.2% No, Mr. Dainty was right in suspending Mr. Aaron and the USACA board should approve the decision of Mr. Dainty.
5.0% USACA board should invite Mr. Aaron back but on certain conditions.

4. USACA recently hired an independent auditor to run a compliance review process for all member leagues. Should voting eligibility for USACA's forthcoming election depend on completion of review process?

50.8% Yes. Only those leagues that have satisfactorily completed all aspects of the compliance process should be allowed to vote.
49.2% No. The compliance process should be independent of the election process.

5. Do you feel that ICC should get involved in USACA matters or should USACA resolve its own issues internally?

25.0% USACA should resolve its own issues internally and respect the wishes of those chosen to represent the leagues.
75% I do not believe that USACA can resolve all of its internal issues. The ICC should get involved.

6. USACA recently conducted regional elections in Central East and Atlantic Region. However, USACA has not yet recognized Mr. Golam Sayeed who was elected the Regional Representative of Central East. Also, USACA President blocked the announcement of results in Atlantic Region after the election was completed and the votes were tallied. How do you feel about these decisions?

96.7% USACA should immediately recognize Mr. Golam Sayeed as the Central East Representative AND USACA should publish the results of the Atlantic Region election.
3.3% Mr. Dainty was right in blocking Atlantic Region’s results. Also, USACA is right in not recognizing Mr. Golam Sayeed as Central East’s representative.