THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will be sticking with plans to host their first ever Semi-Professional tournament in 2021, after COVID-19 ruined most of their plans for this year.

Earlier this year the BCB unveiled plans to host the historic semi-professional cricket competition. Sadly, the BCB was forced to temporary shelve the plans due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The BCB 2020 cricket season was suspended in early March and is likely restart until the second quarter of 2021.

The board has used the last eight months to put into place several plans with the objective of hitting the ground running whenever the Government gives the greenlight for sports to restart.

The BCB has been involved in a Covid-19 response effort, county wide coaching programme, securing sponsorships, assisting clubs and youth players with cricket gears, equipment along with hosting several meetings with Government Officials.

BCB President Hilbert Foster is heading a special committee to make sure that the proposed semi-professional tournament is successful. The tournament for the first season would be played on a knockout basis with twelve teams.

The teams selected are Combined Upper Corentyne, Port Mourant, RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour, Albion, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warriors, Tucber Park, Police, Blairmont, West Berbice, East Bank Berbice and Berbice River. It would be the first time that East Bank Berbice and Berbice River would be playing in a BCB first division tournament.

Foster disclosed that each player and team official would receive a financial stipend per match with the amount rising for every match in the tournament. A combined prize package of $1M is been proposed with the winner taking home $500,000.00.

The grounds to be used are Albion, No# 69 Vikings, Rose Hall Canje and Port Mourant while two matches would be played at one venue for a day. The organisers are expected to cover the cost of cricket balls, transportation, meals, umpiring, scoring while the finals is expected to be broadcasted live via Facebook and radio.

Foster disclosed that clubs if they so desire can have one non- Berbician player. One of the highlight of the tournament would be a Say No/ Say Yes campaign by the twelve teams. The main objectives would be to get youths to Say No to Drugs and Yes to Education.

The BCB president expressed confidence that all of the plans would fall into place. Foster and his executives have already met with incoming Honorary Patron Vickram Bharrat, who committed himself to making the tournament a success. Meetings with potential sponsors would start shortly and Foster disclosed that several major companies have already indicated great interest.

Funds raised from the hosting of the tournament would be used to expand the county coaching programme, assist weaker first division clubs, players and also to host the regular cricket tournaments at the junior, female and senior levels.