… says CEO (ag) of NCN
ACTING Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN) Michael Gordon yesterday branded the Keith Foster-steward Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) as the bastion of cricket administration in Guyana.He was at the time, addressing the media at the launching of the sixth NCN/BCB Under-15 Inter-zone tournament which occurred in the studios of the sponsor in the presence of BCB’s secretary Angela Haniff and Public Relations Officer Hilbert Foster.
“We here at NCN, by virtue of observing the degree of management executed by the BCB, believe in the local context that they are the shining example, perhaps as the bastion of the administration of cricket in Guyana and we are more than honoured to be associated with events organised by the BCB.”
He added, “We found it necessary to sponsor the BCB Inter-zone tournament at the Under-15 level because of this. Us doing so also, is because of our social obligation to give back to society to ensure events such as this contribute to the positive energies of Guyana.
“We are more than honoured to be associated with this tournament as well because we feel that these are the youths of Guyana.
“We feel also that what has happened over the year is testimony to the fact that putting resources into events that bring out a positive in society is one of the ways in which we are contributing.”
Gordon said NCN’s sponsorship of the tournament saw several prominent players such as Shawn Pereira, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd-DeJonge and Andy Mohan emerge to represent the Ancient County and Guyana at the Under-15 and later Under-19 levels.
Prior to Gordon’s remarks, the burly Foster said the BCB, who will be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year would be organising at least 20 tournaments at all levels from Under-15 to senior, coupled with second division, intermediate, female, Inter-zone and schools.
“Nowhere else in Guyana and even in the Caribbean is cricket being placed as it is in the Ancient County. Today, the BCB renews its relationship with NCN for the sixth successive year for hosting of the NCN Inter-zone tournament for Under-15 players.”
He said the tournament would be played within the four zones of the Ancient County, namely West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne for players born after September 1, 1999, which is the cut-off date, with players being selected for the different teams based on their performances at the Inter-club level.
Among the players expected to play are Hemchand Singh, Kris Ramnarine, Junior Sinclair, Sachin Veerasammy, Saheed Khan and Renaldo Rowe, with matches being played over a period of two days, with West Berbice taking on New Amsterdam/Canje at Cumberland and Lower Corentyne playing their counterparts from Upper Corentyne at Area ‘H’ ground.
The two winners will clash in the final at a venue to be named, with the winners pocketing $50 000 in educational materials and a trophy, while the losing sides will collide in the third place encounter, also at a venue to be named, following which the BCB will select the team to represent the Ancient County in the Guyana Cricket Board Inter-county Under-15 tournament.
(By Calvin Roberts)
