THE pro-active Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under the leadership of its president, Hilbert Foster, continues to break new ground even as most sports organisations remain inactive due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BCB last Thursday hosted a simple presentation ceremony for its first-ever Adana Homes Tribute to Outstanding Students Award programme. Six cricketers who performed well at the recent CSEC each received a financial stipend of $10 000..

The players, who were all present at the ceremony, were Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Lucas Arthur, Anthony Sukhra, Abdul Ramsammy and Ashmini Munisar.

BCB president Hilbert Foster, speaking at the ceremony, noted that the board strongly believes in the importance of an educational background and as such has always invested heavily in assisting cricketers as much as possible.

Foster urged the players to remain humble, but to develop a culture of always striving for excellence. He also advised the awardees to look into other paths such as the University of Guyana and Technical institutions to further their education.

Foster pledged that under his leadership the BCB would continue to support cricketers who place emphasis on their education.

Foster challenged cricket clubs and cricket officials in Guyana to sit down with all youth cricketers and discuss the importance of education.

Using his club, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS as an example, Foster stated that management makes sure that each member is aware of the value of an educational background and also assists them to achieve such.

Education, he stated assists youths to think on their feet and this is one of the main reasons why the club is so successful on the cricket field.

 The idea for the award programme was mooted when the BCB was informed of the success of the players. Foster immediately contacted his close friend and former BCB president Anil Beharry to discuss rewarding the six players.

Beharry immediately contacted Mr Satishwar Persaud, CEO of Adana Homes who agreed to come on board as the sponsor.

Adana Homes is a Canada-based real estate company and Persaud is also a sponsor of cricket in Canada, where he owns a team.

Foster expressed gratitude to both Beharry and Persaud for their continued support of Berbice Cricket. Persaud, a Berbician by birth, stated that he was impressed by the work of the BCB and committed himself to working with the board in the future. He also stated that he would sponsor the educational award on an annual basis.

Jonathan Rampersaud, who topped the list of awardees with eleven subjects including nine Grade One, expressed thanks to the BCB, Beharry and Persaud for honouring them and committed the group to making the country proud in the future.