THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), under the presidency of Hilbert Foster, in 2018 started a financial scheme to assist young cricketers with a stipend, when they gain selection to the National team.

Under the Dr Puran Singh National Players Incentive Scheme, the vibrant BCB provided $10 000 to every Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 male cricketer and to Under-19 female and senior female cricketers who represent Guyana.

BCB, late February, handed over $80 000 to eight female cricketers who gained selection on the senior teams. They were Erva Giddings, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabiki Gajnabi, Plaffiana Millington, Melanie Henry, Sheneta Grimmond, Lafona Gilgeous and Tremayne Smartt.

On Wednesday April 10, 2019, president Hilbert Foster handed over $60 000 to the five Berbice players selected on the National Under-15 team along with coach Julian Moore.

The five players who are currently in Antigua are Matthew Pottaya. Isaiah Thorne, Tameshwar Mahadeo, Rampertab Ramnauth and Sobhai.

The presentation continued on Monday April 15, 2019, when Foster handed over another $60 000 to Oma Matadin.

Matadin received the stipends on behalf of Shabiki Gajnabi, Lafona Gilgeous, Ashley Ramnauth, Ameera Abrams, Ashmini Munisar and herself.

The players are part of the Guyana Under-19 female team who are now taking part in the Regional Under-19 tournament. Later in the year BCB would be handing over more stipends to Berbicians selected on the National Under-17 and Under-19 male teams.

Foster at both presentations said BCB was very proud of all of its players and urged the players to always strive for excellence. He reminded them of the importance of representing the county of Berbice as ambassadors on and off the cricket field.

As Berbice Cricket Ambassadors, they would be following in the footsteps of John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Alvin Kallicharran, Leonard Baichan and Roy Fredericks. Berbice cricketers, the BCB president told the young cricketers, are highly respected around the world for their cricketing skills, humbleness and high standards.

Foster also pledged that as long as he remains president of BCB, the present high standard would be upheld. He expressed gratitude to Dr Puran Singh, who resides in Barbados, for his sponsorship of the Scheme valued at $300 000.