THE transformation of Berbice cricket over the last 19 months has been remarkable. The situation in early 2018 was that our cricket was leaning over a cliff but in September 2019 we are now on firm footing and on the way to greater success.

The 80th Anniversary celebration was an overwhelming success and all of our objectives were achieved. The 70th anniversary celebration in 2009 and 75th in 2014 were great successes but the 80th anniversary surpassed all expectations.

As president of Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), I can proudly say that never in the history of Guyana has a cricket board worked so hard to develop the game during a two-year period. ”

Those were the words of BCB president Hilbert Foster as he officially ended the month-long celebration of the board’s 80th anniversary.

Foster, along with Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu, visited the home of the president of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association, Joseph Simon, to hand over a Tribute to Heroes Award and also donated a water pitcher, a grocery hamper, a pair of crutches and several other gifts.

Simon, an umpire for over 43 years, recently lost his left leg due to complications from diabetes. The presentation officially ended the month-long celebration for the 80th anniversary.

Foster has repeatedly stated that under his leadership, BCB would be a compassionate organisation and not only would organise cricket but also make a positive difference in the lives of others.

He committed the BCB and his club, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS (RHTY&SC) to assisting the ailing umpire on a regular basis. He also urged other clubs, NGOs and cricket associations to assist Simon.

The 80th anniversary celebration started with a presentation of a $20 000 bicycle to all Under-13 female cricketers in Corriverton while among the other programmes were the Tribute to Heroes, Television Programme, 256-Page Anniversary Book, Berbice Greatest Cricketers, Tribute to Retired Cricketers, Hall of Fame for Cricketers, Administrators Hall of Fame, Honouring of West Indies Debutants, Youth Information Booklet, Trophy Stall Under-13 Cricket Tournament, STAG Beer 50-overs First Division Tournament, NBS 40 overs Second Division Tournament, Let’s Bet Sports 100 Balls Tournament, UCCA Inter-Secondary School Tournament, Somwaru Tribute Tournament and a Four-page newspaper pullout.

The BCB also assisted 15 young players with over $300 000 worth of cricket gear. Clubs benefitted from $400 000 worth of water pitchers while three educational competitions were organised for nursery, primary and secondary students.
Eighty less fortunate students collected school bags while donations were made to several institutions including the Port Mourant Public Hospital. Anniversary souvenir cups were distributed while clubs and players received scorebooks, bicycles and cricket balls.

The main project was the upgrading of the BCB office, which would be completed in late October. The main objective of the upgrading project is to improve the general service of the BCB to the general public and to cut back on operational expenses.

The Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Wall of Fame would also be unveiled on October 26 by Dr Singh who would be visiting Berbice.

The BCB was established in 1939 by two former West Indies players, LS Burkett and CR Browne who hailed from Barbados while being employed as senior Managers at the Blairmont Estate.

The BCB president is expressing gratitude to all the sponsors who made the anniversary a success: Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, Dr. Puran Singh, AH&L Kissoon, University of Guyana, Food for the Poor, Massy (GUY) Ltd, Ansa McAL, Poonai Pharmacy, Shane General Store, Devindra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Gudakesh Motie, Caribbean Nations Group, Rodwell Jagmohan, Sentinel Security, J’S Printery, Ministry of Finance, Caribbean Indo Federation, RHTY&SC, Colin Elcock, A. Hamid and Sons, Vice- President Khemraj Ramjattan, NCN, Sukhpaul Gas Station, RDC Region 6, Metro Office Supplies, Trophy Stall, Republic Bank New Amsterdam and the Management & Staff of Albion GUYSUCO Estate.