– University Scholarship, junior tourney among plans confirmed

MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, became the latest government official to throw massive support behind the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), by providing a 1-year scholarship for one lucky Ancient County player.

The mega move featured a large delegation consisting of elected and appointed executives of the BCB, on Saturday last, meeting with the Minister of Agriculture at the Fyrish Primary School during an outreach programme by the Berbice-born Minister.

The delegation, headed by president Hilbert Foster, consisted of senior executives Robby Saywack, Angela Haniff, Dr. Cecil Beharry, Ameer Rahaman, among others.

The meeting was described as very fruitful and successful and according to Public Relations Officer, Simon Naidu, formed part of the BCB plans to meet Government officials to seek their cooperation in transforming the state of Berbice even further.

The Minister congratulated the BCB on its hard work over the last few years and indicated that he was willing to work along as he knows the passion that Berbicians have for the game.

BCB President, Hilbert Foster, provided the Minister with an update on the progress of Berbice Cricket and stated that despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the board has kept itself busy by making a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate. The BCB is also working on a number of plans to hit the ground running whenever the cricket season restarts.

 Among the plans the board is working on are obtaining sponsorship for tournaments, formation of a semi-professional league, county wide coaching, educational programmes and assistance for young cricketers.

The BCB is set to create history when it becomes the first board in Guyana to provide a one year University of Guyana Scholarship to a young cricketer in the Ancient County.

The scholarship would be sponsored by the Agriculture Minister and would bear his name. The BCB would establish a Special Committee headed by veteran educator/Television Editor, Gregory Rambarran, to select the awardee of the scholarship.

Cricketers across Berbice would be invited to send in applications for the scholarship which would be in the agricultural field at the University.

Foster stated that while the scholarship is for one year, the BCB would consider extending it based on the performance of the student.

The BCB, in the next few years, according to Foster, is expected to place a lot of emphasis on the promotion of education among cricketers as it wants to produce all rounded individuals.

Minister Mustapha also agreed to a $300,000.00 sponsorship for the hosting  of a junior cricket tournament in Berbice. The BCB, in 2021, would be organising tournaments at the Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 levels while several inter-school tournaments would also be held.

Foster expressed gratitude to the Minister, who was once actively involved playing the game for his home village, Bloomfield. The vibrant Minister also committed to assisting  the BCB in obtaining other sponsorship and to use his status as the Region Six Member of Parliament to push for the upgrading of grounds in the county.

The BCB, last week, held successful meetings with Attorney General, Anil Nandalal and Minister Vickram Bharrat. Bharrat would officially be inducted as the Honorary Patron of the board on Saturday 14th of November.