GUYANA/West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer will be hosting three cricket tournaments across the Ancient County of Berbice as part of Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) list of activities for 2021. “I am delighted to be a part of the development of Berbice Cricket as I am very impressed by the direction it is heading and because I fully understand the importance of giving back to the county where it all started” were the words of West Indies Shimron Hetmeyer to president of BCB Hilbert Foster as he continued his investment into the development of Berbice Cricket.
The 24-year-old middle-order batsman, to the surprise of the president of the board, handed over a combined $200 000 for the hosting of two one-day grassroots cricket tournaments at the Rose Hall Canje and Young Warriors grounds respectively.
The BCB under Foster’s leadership has set itself the hosting of at least 10 such tournaments as part of its effort to renew the passion of clubs after an almost one-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tournaments would be played without spectators, as the board observes the guidelines of the Government of Guyana.
Foster stated that BCB is seeking to assist some clubs to attract younger players to their membership, to inspire them to be more proactive and also to give them an opportunity to win a BCB tournament.
Most of the tournaments in the county are won by the dominant RHTYSC, Albion and this has affected the morale of some clubs as they find it very difficult to compete against the more organised clubs.

They would also be in a position to take home very vital prize money. BCB has already raised funds for tournaments at the following venues – Bush Lot Farm, Whim, Port Mourant, Fyrish, Chesney ,No. 19 Kendall Union, Young Warrior, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh and Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice. Among the sponsors to join hands with the board are Mahendra and Vishal Nagamootoo, Troy Halley and Narsingh Deonarine.
The tournaments at the Canje and Young Warriors would see the three teams play for the Shimron Hetmyer Challenge Cup and a cash prize.
Hetmyer also announced that he would be renewing his sponsorship of the BCB Intermediate tournament which he had sponsored in 2019.
The tournament was not played in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic. The sponsorship for that tournament would be $300 000 and clubs would be allowed a maximum of 4 first division players per match.

Foster and Hetmeyer also discussed other areas of cooperation and more announcements are expected shortly The BCB president handed over a collection of publications from the board and RHTYSC to Hetmyer and also presented a special award to him.
The powerfully-built player was unable to attend the Brian Ramphal Award Ceremony on December 27. Fellow national players Veersammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble. Nial Smith, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair and former Test player Clayton Lambert were also honoured for their contributions to cricket.
Foster expressed gratitude to Hetmyer for the support of his administration and Berbice Cricket. He noted that the board had named 2021 as the Year of Investment and it was very pleasing to observe the massive outpouring of support from former and current players.