AS PROMISED in their presentation remarks following their elections late last year, the newly elected executives of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) have secured sponsorship for a Secondary Schools Under-17 Cricket Competition in Berbice.

The long-awaited competition will be sponsored by business giant A Ally and Sons of New Amsterdam (two branches) and Sheet Anchor, East Canje Berbice and is part of the Company’s 30th Anniversary celebrations.
Blessings were recently given by Miss Volaika Jaikishun, Regional Education Officer for the hosting of the tournament by the BCB, with the round robin format bowling off next Friday from 11:00hrs. The tournament will be played on a two-innings basis.
This tournament is for players born on or before September 1, 1998 and to date, 21 teams have been registered to do battle for supremacy, with teams coming from East and West Berbice, while the five teams from the Upper Central/Upper Corentyne area will come under the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association with the winners participating in the playoffs of this competition.
At a simple ceremony held at the main office of the company last Wednesday, Mr Faizal Ally, Managing Director, said that he is always willing to assist with school cricket and sports in general as is evident over the years.
He added that the development of young people is pivotal in the progress of any community and country as a whole and as such, his company is committed to play its part.
Chairman of the BCB’s Competition Committee, Carl Moore, was elated and high in praise for the sponsor for coming on board and filling this gap in Berbice cricket and advised cricket clubs to feed from this tournament.
BCB secretary Angela Haniff echoed Moore’s sentiments and thanked the Regional Education Officer for making things so easy for them, while she called on the teachers, parents and students to make full use of this opportunity, adding that cricket is a perfect alternative to drugs and provides huge financial benefits to cricketers and their families.
The board selectors will witness the matches to spot talent for the youth inter-county teams, even as the BCB is presently in negotiation with Dalchand Rambharose of the USA for sponsorship of an Under-15 tournament which will commence just after the Under-17 is completed.