– Foster expected to be Somwaru’s rival

THE long-overdue presidential elections of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will be held today at the Classic hotel in Corriverton.

The election for the top post is creating widespread interest around the cricketing fraternity against the background that the administration of the game in the Ancient County has been thrown into turmoil, ever since the board’s 2014 elections.

The BCB’s elections have been scheduled following a ruling delivered by Justice Navindra Singh on September 8 last, which mandated same for the purpose of electing officer-bearers of the board.

The county’s previous elections were held in 2014, with Anil Beharry taking over from Keith Foster, but his tenure was significantly hindered a few months after the December 2014 elections, after applicants Godwyn Allicock of the Port Mourant Cricket Club and David Black of the West Berbice Cricket Association sought and were granted a court injunction against the BCB, leaving the game in limbo thereafter.

Beharry’s one-year term expired in December 2015, according to what is stipulated in the Cricket Administration Bill, and following his resignation from the post in January this year, that injunction was subsequently withdrawn, allowing the then vice-president, Dhierandranauth Somwaru, to assume the responsibility of acting-president.

Additionally, a reliable source informed this publication that Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) Hilbert Foster, is expected to run for the top post.

While the source hasn’t confirmed Foster’s participation, it was revealed by the source that Rabindranauth Saywack, former national coach Albert Smith, Region Six Regional
Health Director Jevon Stevens, Dr. Cecil Beharry, and former BCB secretary Angela Haniff, could be on Foster’s slate once he confirms his decision to run.

Should he confirm his decision, Foster and president of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council, Somwaru will be the two presidential candidates.
Meanwhile, Somwaru indicated that while he has already identified his team, he informed Chronicle Sport that he was advised by his lawyer not to divulge any information pertaining to his team.

According to what is stipulated in the Cricket Administration Bill, three sub-associations, along with eleven first division clubs have voting rights during the elections process.

The sub-associations are: West Berbice, Berbice River and Upper Corentyne, while the first division clubs are Blairmont, Police, Mt Sinai, Fort Canje, Guymine, Rose Hall Estate, Chesney, Albion, Port Mourant, Whim and Kildonan.

Each sub-association is entitled to four voting delegates while the clubs have two voting delegates each.