10 West Berbice youth cricketers benefit from donations as part of Education Drive

PRESIDENT of Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Hilbert Foster last Wednesday urged young cricketers across Berbice to complete their studies at the secondary levels as an educational career was very important in today’s modern world. Foster was speaking at the presentation ceremony of the BCB/Dr Puran Singh Educational Trust Fund at the board office, New Amsterdam.
The 10 U-17 youths drawn from clubs in the West Berbice Sub-Association each received $10 000 under the Fund as an investment into their school studies.
Foster recalled that when his administration was elected into office in 2018, he spoke of the need for youths not only to play the game on the field but also to complete their educational career. Noting that less than five percent of players who are currently playing would go on to be professional cricketers, the BCB president urged the players to make sure that they have an education to fall back on. An educated mind would open doors of opportunities that would otherwise remain closed and he committed to assisting as much as possible. Over the last three years, 200 youths have benefitted from educational grants, educational scholarships, bicycles to aid transportation to school, school bags and educational materials, among others.

Another 10 players from the Upper Corentyne area would receive educational grants on Tuesday, April 26 when BCB holds the first presentation ceremony of the Vitality INC Educational Trust Fund. Foster spoke at length on the need to balance sports and education while urging the parents of the youths to be their best role models.
He pleaded with the parents to play a bigger role in their children’s cricketing careers by encouraging them on a regular basis and following their progress on the cricket field.
Those who received the $10 000 grant were Razam Koobir, Altav Balman, Keyman Mingo, Sheniya Mangra, Christopher Webster, Tamara George, Saif Hargoin, Shivnarine Ragobeer, Arif Bacchus and Justin Doobay. They were drawn from the Blairmont, Cotton Tree, Bath, Achievers, Paradise and Bush Lot United cricket clubs.
BCB secretary Angela Haniff expressed thanks to Dr Singh for his continued investment into Berbice cricket and also urged the players to remain disciplined and focused.
Dr Puran Singh is a major sponsor in Berbice cricket and is an overseas-based Guyanese living in Barbados, where he is a very popular medical doctor.