PRESIDENT of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Hilbert Foster is hailing the achievements of his first three months in office and the strides that cricket in the Ancient County has made.

Calling it a mini-revolution, Foster disclosed that cricket is on the move again and praised the hard work of his fellow administrators, the support of every Berbice stakeholder, while acknowledging the outstanding contributions of corporate Guyana and overseas Guyanese.
He recalled that on his election on February 18, 2018, he stated that it would take a superman and collective effort to turn around the fortunes of Berbice Cricket and while much more needs to be done, he was satisfied with the progress made in such a short time.

He expressed delight with the support he has received from clubs, umpires, players, administrators and the general public.

Over the last three months, the Berbice Cricket Board has launched the Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 Cup, Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 Tournament, New York Business Group Under-19, Elizabeth Styles Under-21, RHTYSC/BCB Female Cup, Mogu Mogu Inter-Secondary School tournament, Berbice River 40-Overs Cup, four Magic Moments Internal Zone tournaments for West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne.

Other tournaments launched included the Brian Ramphal Double Wicket, Ramnaresh Sarwan’s Upper Corentyne 40-Overs, Raffik & Sons 100 balls for Lower Corentyne Teams, Carib Beer 20/20 First Division while sponsorship has already been acquired for a 40-Overs Countywide Second Division tournament.

Sponsorships would also be unveiled shortly for a Double Wicket Competition in Upper Corentyne, 100 balls tournament in the New Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice areas, an Intermediate Berbice-wide tournament and at least three more First Division tournaments.
The Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Magic Moments 20/20 tournaments have already started but have been put on hold pending an improvement in the weather.

The Berbice Cricket Board has also invested heavily in the preparation of its Inter-county Under-19 and Female teams while it has launched an Inter-county Cap System, Player-of-the-Match Award for every Berbice game and a MVP Award Programme for every tournament.

For the first time in its history the Berbice Cricket Board also provided financial stipends to its junior national cricketers, with the Under-15 and Under-19 players receiving a combined $200 000.

The BCB also honoured former West Indies Cricketer, Joseph Solomon, and held a Conference with its junior players.
Twenty-two clubs benefited from $1M worth of gear, balls and scorebooks in a joint project of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS and the BCB.
It also honoured its winning Under-15 team while the Under-19 and Female teams would be honoured shortly.

He expressed gratitude to the following sponsors and individuals: Mike’s Pharmacy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, New York Business Group, Elizabeth Styles, Sueria Manufacturing, Mohamed Raffik, New Building Society, Ansa McAl and the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club.

The RHTY&SC he stated, used over $500 000 of its fund to assist the Berbice Cricket Board until it gained access to its bank account.
The $500 000 would not be repaid as the RHTY&SC views it as a contribution to Berbice Cricket.

Special thanks are also extended to Brian Ramphal for his contribution of $1M, Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh for his commitment of close to $900 000, Tony Amerally, the Management of J.R. Engineering, Food-for-the-Poor, MC Samaroo and the National Sports Commission.
The Berbice Cricket Board also extends gratitude to DTV-8, LRTVS CH10, NCN, TVG, Guyana Chronicle, Stabroek News, Guyana Times, News Room and Kaieteur News for their coverage of the Board.