OVER the last 19 months, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has concentrated on organising numerous cricket tournaments, coaching programmes, assisting clubs and cricketers and raising finance to return Berbice cricket to its rightful place after a two-year period of internal problems.

With Berbice cricket back on firm footing once again, BCB is now undertaking a major upgrade of its New Amsterdam-based office and its services to the general public.

The upgrading is being done as part of the 80th anniversary celebration of the BCB.

BCB president Hilbert Foster, MS who is spearheading the project stated that with Berbice cricket back on its feet, it was important for the administration to strengthen its operations, to better serve the cricketing public, sponsors and all clubs in the Ancient County.

Noting that the present executive took over a Board with no finance, no structure in place or an office, Foster stated that the main objective is to make BCB, the role model organisation in West Indies Cricket. The old office left much to be desired and was totally inadequate for the management of Berbice cricket.

The upgrading would include tiling of the floor, installing PVC ceiling, repairs to the washroom facility and making the operation of the Board totally self-reliant.

Berbice NGO, the Caribbean Nation Group (CNG) and Delmur Shipping have contributed financially to the ceiling programme while overseas-based Guyanese Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh has committed to funding the floor tiling project and purchasing new furniture. The BCB has also received commitment of a desktop computer and printer from Barbados-based Guyanese Dr Puran Singh.

West Indies players Devendra Bishoo and Anthony Bramble donated a 32-inch television set and water dispenser respectively. The Board has also received a DVD player, an electric fan, kitchen utensils, a large water cooler, office decorations, cleaning equipment, stationery, a telephone set and fax machine.

The donors so far have included national player Gudakesh Motie, University of Guyana, Tain Campus, Poonai Pharmacy, Balram Shane General Store, RHTY&SC, Attorney-at-Law R. Jugmohan and Bakewell who have contributed 100 souvenir cups for the historic anniversary.

Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu and Office Administrator Angela Haniff both expressed gratitude to all of the donors for supporting the BCB.

They also urged former executives, overseas-based Berbicians and the business community to support the BCB efforts to lift Berbice cricket even higher.