THE outstanding relationship between the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and its numerous sponsors, including the New Building Society (NBS), continued last Thursday, when the latter renewed its sponsorship of the Board’s second division tournament for this year. The total sponsorship for this year’s tournament is worth $538 900 and at the launching handed an initial $300 000 to start the tournament.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the BCB Hilbert Foster hailed the renewal of the sponsorship as another giant step in the development of cricket in the Ancient County, saying that cricket in Berbice is played at all levels from Under-13 to first division, with the females as well.
According to Foster, the NBS-sponsored second division is by far the largest one organised by the BCB as almost every village and township takes part and it provides an avenue for young cricketers to learn the game from some veteran players who still play at the level.
Chairman of the BCB Competitions Committee, Carl Moore, disclosed that the tournament would attract over 100 teams and they would be divided into at least ten zones across both Regions 5 and 6.
Moore said the tournament would assist in the development of junior cricketers while allowing some aged cricketers to still play the game at a competitive level.
BCB’s president Keith Foster expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors and management of NBS for their continued investment in Berbice cricket and he challenged the teams to play the game in the true spirit of cricket.
Regional Manager of NBS, Anil Beharry, expressed his delight at the continued involvement of the Bank in Berbice cricket.
Beharry, who is also the treasurer of the BCB said that NBS is proud to be associated with Berbice cricket as it was showing lots of progress and expressed the hope that the tournament would produce new talents for Berbice as it has done in the past.
The BCB is encouraging all second division clubs in Berbice to fill out the form sent to them by the Board or to call the office on telephone number 333-2375 for more information with regard to the tournament which will bowl off soon.