… unveils plans for 80th Anniversary; 2018 audited Financial Report approved

THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) last Sunday hosted a highly successful Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) 2019 at its Dr Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam head office.

Ten clubs and one sub-association attended the meeting. Present were representatives of Rose Hall Canje, Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant, Chesney, Guymine, Mental Hospital, Mt Sinai, Whim, RHTY&SC, Young Warriors and Upper Corentyne Cricket Association.

Members discussed a comprehensive Presidential Report for the period January to July, 2019 from president Hilbert Foster, who stated that 30 tournaments would be hosted in 2019 as the BCB was forced to cut back, due to the current lengthy rainy season.

Foster also informed members that the Board was on the verge of obtaining sponsorship for a much needed Two-Day First Division Tournament. Great effort is also being made to obtain a similar tournament at the Inter-zone level for Under-19 players.

Foster proudly stated that his administration has raised close to $18M in cash and kind over the last 19 months after taking over a bank account of $42 935 from the D. Somwaru-led administration. He expressed disappointment that the former treasurer of the BCB has to date failed to submit a Financial Report on how over $2M was used for the period 2017 to early 2018.

The hardworking and dedicated BCB president informed representatives of the clubs that his administration was working beyond the call of duty to make a positive difference and that clubs across Berbice in 2019 will benefit from over $5M worth of cricket balls, stumps, scorebooks, cricket gear, bicycles, school bags, trophies, medals, special prizes, water pitchers, white cricket shirts and raincoats, among others.

The BCB is also currently assisting several clubs to host cricket academies while a much-needed upgrading of the Board Office will also be done as part of an effort to improve service to the general public.

The BCB would also be seeking to obtain all necessary items needed to fulfil its mandate and to reduce overhead operating cost.

Plans for the hosting of a month-long celebration of the BCB’s 80th Anniversary was also unveiled for September, 2019. Foster pledged to spearhead the construction of an outdoor cricket practice facility and to fight for Berbice to have its own cricket hostel.

Delegates at the Ordinary General Meeting passed a motion from the floor, asking Cricket West Indies (CWI) to return first-class cricket to Berbice.

Members also approved the Audited Financial Report for the period February to November, 2018. The Audited Report was unanimously approved with the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and Chesney Cricket Club representatives moving and seconding the motion respectively.

The audited report for 2019 will be tabled at the BCB Annual General Meeting scheduled for December. Representatives of clubs congratulated the president and his executives on the outstanding work they are doing to develop the game in Berbice.