– Ten more cricketers benefit

“EVERY time we invest in our young cricketers, we are investing in the future. Too many cricketers with natural talent are forced to quit the game due to their inability to obtain their own gear.

“Poverty should not be the reason why a promising talent remains unfilled. As long as I remain president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) every talent would be identified and if assistance is required, it would be provided.

“Additionally, we would continue to organise coaching and personal development sessions across Berbice.” Those were the words of BCB president Hilbert Foster as he handed over cricket gear to young cricketers under the Brian Ramphal Developmental Programme.

Ten junior cricketers received a piece of cricket gear. The players were drawn from Edinburgh, Mt Sinai, RHTYSC and the Central Corentyne, Upper Corentyne areas. The gear included batting gloves and wicket-keeping gloves.

Since the election of Foster to the presidency of the BCB, hundreds of young cricketers have benefitted from donations of cricket gear, bicycles, educational materials and school bags.

The BCB has also assisted clubs and sub-associations with millions of dollars’ worth of cricket gear, stumps, cricket balls, scorebooks, raincoats, bicycles, educational materials, water pitchers among others.

Brian Ramphal, over the last two years, has contributed close to $2M of his own funds towards the development of Berbice cricket. The Texas-based businessman has described BCB as a very successful and progressive cricket board and that he would support it as long as he can afford. Meanwhile, the BCB last Thursday held its first executive meeting since the coronavirus pandemic started in March.

The meeting, under the supervision of BCB boss, was held using the strict COVID-19 guidelines. Foster provided members with a comprehensive report on the activities of the board over the latest months. Among the other topics discussed at the meeting were the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme, Basil Butcher Cricket Trust Fund, the reopening of the BCB Office, Cricket Administration Act, support for clubs and several upcoming meetings with government officials.

Members also agreed that the Berbice cricket season would continue to be put on hold until the government gives permission. The executives also approved a list of cricket grounds in Berbice that would be submitted to the Government for possible upgrading.

Among the venues identified are Edinburgh, Port Mourant, Sisters, Kendall’s Union, Lochaber, Guymine, Kilcoy, Whim, Goed Bananen, No.5, Bath, Cotton Tree, Bush Lot and Lovely Lass. The BCB would also undertake the restoration of its washroom as the upgrading of the board’s office continues.