INSURANCE service provider, Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies, yesterday for the second successive year threw its support behind the hardworking Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) by supplying sponsorship for the BCB/West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA) second division knockout competition.

At a simple presentation which was held in the Avenue of the Republic-based boardroom of the sponsor, BCB Public Relations Officer (PRO) Hilbert Foster said they were grateful to the management of Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies for the contribution towards the development of the sport in the West Berbice area.
Apart from the media fraternity, also present at yesterday’s presentation were Hand-in-Hand’s Business Development Manager Vivek Joshi, Marketing Coordinator Andrea Khan, who came in for some praise by Foster and vice-president of the WBCA, Rabindranauth Saywack.
“Last year’s tournament was a huge success, with a total of 18 teams taking part, from which Cotton Tree Die Hard defeated tournament favourites Hopetown United to clinch the inaugural title in front of a massive crowd at the Bush Lot ground.
However, the most pleasing aspect of the tournament was the return of crowds to venues, while the BCB was excited with the advent of new talents,” stated Foster.
According to the burly PRO, who alluded to the fact that a promising Under-15 player in Berbice can play as many as 20 cricket tournaments in 2013, this year’s tournament is being sponsored to the tune of $230 000, with the victorious team receiving $60 000 and a trophy while the runners-up and man-of-the-match in the final will pocket $40 000 and $10 000 respectively, with trophies.
“The BCB is grateful to the sponsors for this investment, which would assist us to fulfil our mandate of identifying every available talent in Berbice and lift our cricket higher, since a cricketer in the Ancient County does not have to worry if cricket would be played, but rather would be thinking if he will have the energy to play all the tournaments the BCB is organising.”
While further thanking the sponsors for their tangible contribution, Foster, on behalf of the BCB gave the assurance the tournament would be well-organised and executed, while adequate media coverage would be given as well.
Joshi took the time to express his company’s gratitude to the BCB for allowing them the privilege to sponsor the tournament for another year.
“We recognise the importance of sports and culture in our society, along with the ability to invest in cricket at this level, where we see new talents unearthed, for which we commend the BCB for its efforts, while we will continue to closely monitor the progress of this tournament, with the aim to make it bigger and better.”
Meanwhile, the BCB will be hosting its annual awards ceremony next Saturday at the New Amsterdam Town Hall, where its latest Test cricketer and national skipper Veerasammy Permaul will be crowned Cricketer-of-the-Year.
Other accolades will be bestowed on Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, Shemaine Campbelle and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club first Test cricketer Assad Fudadin, among others, while the BCB will take the time to launch its magazine.