BERBICE junior and female cricketers who are selected in the national set-up will benefit, for the second successive year, from a financial stipend, given by the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

The board has recently obtained $200 000 from Barbados-based Guyanese Dr Puran Singh, brother of another BCB sponsor Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh.
BCB president Hilbert Foster disclosed that every Berbice Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and female cricketer will receive $10 000 from the scheme. In the event that more than 20 Berbicians are selected, BCB will stand the remaining cost.

The Foster-led administration introduced the scheme last year as part of its ongoing effort to strengthen cricket in the Ancient County. Foster stated that the major objectives of the scheme are to assist the players financially, to encourage them to excel at the national level and to make sure that every Berbician is given the opportunity to fulfil his/her full potential.

Last year, the board was able to obtain funding from Memorex Industries and J.R. Engineering Ltd, for the programme while using over $150 000 of its own funds.
Among the players who benefitted in 2018 were – Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Nigel Deodat, Seon Glasgow, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Tremayne Smartt, Sheneeta Grimmond, Shabiki Gajnabi and Lafona Gilgeous.

He stated that the board was confident the Ancient County will continue its proud tradition of producing national players of the highest level and that the incentive scheme was just one of numerous developmental programmes to be organised in 2019.
Dr Singh, in brief remarks, was delighted to be associated with Berbice Cricket, as he was pleased with the progress being made in the county.

He noted that he will continue to support cricket in Berbice once proper leadership is in place. The president and executive committee of the board will like to express gratitude to Dr Singh for his support and look forward to a long-term relationship.

Meanwhile, the board is expected to unveil a $1.2M sponsorship from an overseas-based Guyanese, who has renewed his sponsorship of the board’s countywide coaching programme, cricket academy and monthly coaching clinics.