THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) received a major boost last Tuesday when international cosmetics brand Elizabeth Styles renewed its sponsorship of the Under-21 tournament.

The simple launching ceremony was held at one of the brand’s distributing agencies in Guyana, Bissan’s Trading, which is located at King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown.

Director of Bissan’s Trading, Ryan Singh, handed over the sponsorship cheque to BCB president Hilbert Foster in the presence of BCB Public Relations Officer, (PRO) Simon Naidu.

Foster, who is spearheading BCBs aggressive marketing campaign to attract sponsorship, stated that the tournament would be the third of its kind, and would be open to players born on or after the September 1, 1998.

In total, about 20 clubs are expected to participate. Among the clubs would be Blairmont Community Centre, Paradise Cricket Club, Achievers Cricket Club, D’Edward Cricket Club, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Edinburgh Cricket Club, Mt Sinai Cricket Club, Young Warriors Cricket Club, Rose Hall Canje, Kendall’s Union Cricket Club, Albion Community Centre, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, Port Mourant Cricket Club and No. 73 Cricket Club.

Foster expects that just like in 2018, the 2019 version would be a success, with all of the Berbice leading youth players expected to play. Players like Javed Karim, Collis Noble, Chris Harry, Seon Glasgow, Nigel Deodat, Alex Algoo, Leon Swammy, Garfield Benjamin, Travis Stanislaus, Kevin Umrao, Karran Arjpaul, Isaiah Thorne, Kevlon Anderson, Sylus Tyndall, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson and Adrian Sukhwa are expected to turn out for their respective teams.

PRO Simon Naidu has said the Under-21 tournament serves as a bridge between the Under-19 and First Division levels.

Naidu disclosed that all teams have to be fully attired in white; and, if needed, have proper records to verify the dates of birth of players.

Teams that turn up half-hour late would lose the match by walkover, while those, who are not present at the venue at the scheduled time to spin the toss, would forfeit their rights to it. The winning teams, runners-up and Man-of-the-Final are to receive trophies and financial prizes.

Executive Director of Bissan’s Trading, Bissoondyal Singh, expressed Elizabeth Styles’ delight to sponsor the 2019 tournament, and said that the cosmetic giant was very impressed with the two earlier editions.

The organising skills of the BCB are extraordinary, Singh noted, and he said the brand also received widespread media coverage across Guyana in the print and electronic media.