Bermuda Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision to withdraw funding for Under 19 captain Oronde Bascome’s school scholarship does not “augur” well for the Island’s youth, Bermuda Under-19 manager Eddie Lamb claimed yesterday.

In a letter to the governing body which was copied to The Royal Gazette (see page 20) hedescribed the Board’s actions as “shocking, impulsive and tragic” — adding that the handling of Bascome’s case speaks volumes about the BCB’s lack of integrity and poor man management.

“I am aware that the Board is currently sponsoring a number of young men in their continued education and development, and for that, the Board deserves commendation,” he wrote.

“However, that is no solace to Orondé nor is it justification for the Board to dispose of him so harshly and quickly. It certainly does not assuage the very damaging actions of the Board in this case.”

The BCB terminated the young cricketer’s scholarship to attend the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) earlier this month after Bascome was said to have “breached” conditions of a supplemental agreement he was obligated to sign last month before heading back to the UK.

Carla and Herbie Bascome, the St.George’s’ batsman’s parents, dismissed BCB claims that their son’s scholarship had been pulled due a lack of commitment to both his sporting and academic obligations.

When contacted yesterday, BCB president Reggie Pearman refused to comment on the matter. Lamb wrote: “I simply cannot comprehend the Board’s actions in this matter, which appear to me to be impulsive, harsh and ill-considered. In my opinion, the handling of Orondé speaks loudly about the Board’s management of people.

“Surely, Bermuda Cricket Board, like any other sport-oriented organisation in Bermuda, has as one of its mandates the development of our young people, particularly those who have proven themselves as being worthy of our investment, guidance and encouragement.

“It is widely accepted that Orondé is one of the brightest, most talented young men in this country, both as an academic and certainly as a sportsman. He definitely qualifies as a young man worthy of our investment and support, even when he appears to have gone astray.

“The Board’s decision in this case is a very tragic one indeed and sadly, does not augur well for the youth of Bermuda. My spirit has been deeply saddened by the outcome.

“I sincerely hope that the members of the Board are big enough men to be able to put aside their egos and accept that a devastating error has been made and further, that there is a better, more productive way to handle this matter.”

The former St.David’s early order batsman accompanied Bascome to Barbados last summer during the annual Sir Gary Sobers International Youth Cricket Tournament.

“I had the pleasure and honour of being the manager of the Under-19 cricket team that visited Barbados for three weeks last year, a team ably captained by Oronde,” he said.

“It is an irrefutable fact that Oronde proved himself to be an excellent leader, ambassador and role model during this tour. As a matter of fact, throughout his life he has personified exemplary demeanour, on and off the field, and his record of being an outstanding individual is without blemish.

“Surely, given his widely known sterling conduct, his commendable attributes and his untarnished representation of his country, Bascome deserved better and fairer treatment by the Board than he received.” Lamb was also critical of the BCB’s decision to air the matter in the public domain.

“I certainly am not suggesting that the Bascome family be given preferential treatment but, anyone in similar circumstances to those of Orondé surely must merit fairer treatment than was dispensed by the Board,” he wrote.

“Where is the fairness in immediate and harsh withdrawal of support for Orondé which was exacerbated by a scathing report in the media? Where is the logic? Where is the principle of a second chance? Where is the ‘big-picture’ plan for the overall development of our youth?

“We stand to lose much more as a country if we commit such shocking acts in handling our young people. The Village has to be in the business of up-lifting its youth, not the desecration of them.

“We simply cannot destroy the hope and aspirations of even one of our young men, especially if they may be perceived as having gone awry. We simply must pick them up when they fall and put them back on track, rather than discard them. To defile their character and destroy their dreams will only lead to the ruination of ‘the whole village’. I realise that, having made such a public spectacle of this whole affair, the Board is likely to obstinately dig its heels in and stand by its decision — in all likelihood in some misguided attempt to save face or as a grand stand of bravado. However, my plea is that the Board revisits this matter with a view to allowing this young man the opportunity to redeem himself.

“Should it do so, I believe that the Board’s stature and image within the community would be greatly enhanced, and that a win-win scenario for all will unfold.”