THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) last Wednesday launched a historic Under-13 Inter-club cricket tournament, thanks to the kind patronage of Ricks and Sari Agro Industries Ltd.

This tournament which is the first of its kind to be organized by a cricket board in Guyana is being held under the BCB’s Cricket Development Programme, with the main aim of unearthing young and existing talents for the future.

Chairman of the BCB’s Special Events Committee Hilbert Foster stated that the Under-13 competition would serve as a nursery for the County’s Under-15 Inter-county team and at the same time, enabling the BCB to have a pool of talented players from the Under-13 level right up to the Under-19.

With this new tournament launched, the Berbice Board in 2010 would have a packed junior programme with their Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 players being able to compete in tournaments.

The Board will start the tournament which will see players born on or after 1st September 1996, as soon as school closes in July taking part, with a total of 20 teams expected to be a part of the tournament, while an elite training squad of 24 players will be selected for special coaching sessions at the end of same.

Foster hailed the sponsorship of Ricks and Sari, who will be contributing over $100 000.00 in cash and 30 hampers which would be used as prizes for the tournament.

He singled out Mrs. Dianne Rodrigues and Sales Executive Carlos Rodrigues for special praise, with regards to their support, announcing that outstanding performance in the tournament will result in players being selected on four, Inter-zones teams for the Poonai’s Pharmacy Inter-zone Under-13 Tournament in August.

Treasurer of the BCB Anil Beharry hailed the tournament as a historic milestone and stated that the Board was leaving no stones unturned in its quest to develop cricket in the Ancient County.

BCB president Keith Foster disclosed that every available talent in Berbice would be unearthed and developed to the fullest capacity, while noting that the Board in 2010 has been placing great emphasis on Elite Coaching Programmes for both junior and senior players in the bid to produce all rounded players.

The Under-13 Tournament, the President stated would be the starting block for Berbice junior cricket teams and would assist the BCB to fulfill its aim to totally dominate all junior cricket in Guyana.

Sales Executive of Ricks and Sari Agro Industries Ltd Carlos Rodriques expressed his Company’s pleasure in associating itself with both the BCB and the historic Under-13 tournament and expressed gratitude to the BCB for allowing his company to be a part of developing new talents.

He said the sponsor was committed to sports development, as it not only encourages youths to develop personal talents but also keep them away from social ills such as gangs and drugs.

The young Sales Executive also stated that his Company strongly believes in giving back to society and he challenged all Under-13 players in Berbice to take advantage of playing in the tournament and expressed the hope that the relationship between Ricks and Sari and the BCB would develop in the future.

All clubs in Berbice are reminded that they have until Friday 25th June, 2010 to register with the BCB to play in the tournament and interested clubs can contact Angela Haniff on 333 2375, Carl Moore on 614 8364, David Black on 624 7606 and Hilbert Foster on 337 4562 for further information.