THE Organising Committee of the recently held Independence T20 Cup Tournament on Wednesday last handed over the profits of the event to several organisations and clubs in Berbice. The tournament was a joint project of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) and despite being badly affected by heavy rain the organisers were able to make a profit of over G$1M.
Chairman of the BCB’s Special Events Committee Hilbert Foster, who proposed the tournament to the BCCDA, stated that the activity would become an annual event on Independence Day and funds raised would be used for cricket development and charity in the Ancient County.
Chairman of the Organising Committee and treasurer of the BCB Anil Beharry gave a comprehensive report of the activity, its financial statement and also disclosed the names of the event’s numerous sponsors.
Stating that Berbice cricket was at a very high standard, Beharry said the BCB was determined to raise finance via fundraising events to undertake more developmental programmes and not to totally depend on sponsors.
BCCDA president Imran Saccoor praised the work of the Organising Committee and stated that the Chamber was pleased to be associated with the BCB, on whom he showered praise for its outstanding work in promoting the development of cricket in the Ancient County.
He called on business organisations who wish to be successful to follow in the BCB’s footsteps and to make a positive difference in the lives of youths and the less fortunate.
BCB Competitions Committee Chairman Carl Moore, who spoke on behalf of the BCB, called on the different organisations to use the funds for their intended purposes and pledged the BCB’s continued cooperation to assist other NGOs and clubs to fulfil their mandates.
At the presentation ceremony, both the BCB and BCCDA received $325 000, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and the Young Warriors Cricket Club received $100 000 each, while Albion Community Centre received $50 000 to assist in the painting of the commentary booth.
Next year two other first division clubs namely Port Mourant and Berbice would benefit under the assistance programme.
Journalist Sean Devers also received $50 000 to assist in his medical expenses, the Canaan Full Gospel and the Children of Promise orphanages each received $30 000 worth of groceries to assist their feeding programmes.
Three cricket clubs – Rising Star of Kortberaad, East Bank, Berbice, Number 45 of Central Corentyne and Number 71 of Upper Corentyne each received a box of cricket balls worth $10 000, to assist in playing BCB-organised Under-17 competitions, while Foster said the BCB would use its share of $325 000 to host coaching programmes across Berbice and also for its junior and senior elite training programmes.