THE Berbice Cricket Board officially launched the Ramnaresh Sarwan Fitness 53 Inter-Club Under-17 Cricket Tournament for Clubs in the Ancient County last week.

President of the Board, Hilbert Foster visited the No. 73 Cricket Ground to officially launch the tournament which is being sponsored by former West Indies Captain and batting master, Ramnaresh Sarwan. The launching consisted of members of the No. 73 and Muslim Youth Organisation Under-17 teams.

Foster, who is spearing a massive restoration of Berbice Cricket recalled that he had promised Berbicians that Junior Cricket would be the foundation of his administration.

In less than two months, cricket has started at the U-17, U-19, U-21 levels while play in the U-15 tournament would commence shortly.

In a lengthy presentation, the BCB President stated that special emphasis would be placed in the Upper Corentyne areas, as over the years the sub-association had been somewhat neglected.

He assured the youths that every effort would be made to develop the game and that the BCB would invest heavily, not only in cricket tournaments, but also in the area of coaching and their personal development.

The Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 tournament, Foster stated is a bridge between the Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 and New York Business Group Under-19 Inter-Club tournaments.

The young cricketers were urged to perform at a high level and were assured that their performances would be recognised by the BCB.

The former Guyana captain was commended for his investment into Berbice Cricket, with Foster stating that it is pleasing when a cricketer gives back to the game, especially when that player has no association to those players that he is assisting.

Foster expressed confidence that the relationship between the Berbice Cricket Board and Sarwan would be strengthened in the future. Sarwan is also sponsoring the 40-Over Second Division tournament for teams in the Upper Corentyne area.

President of the No. 73 Cricket Club, Lakeram Latchman, who welcomed Foster to the venue, informed the members of both teams that it was very rare for a Berbice Cricket Board President to be present at a cricket match in Upper Corentyne.