A large delegation comprising elected and appointed executives of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) at the weekend with Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, at the Fyrish Primary School during an outreach programme by the Berbice-born Minister.
The BCB delegation headed by President Hilbert Foster consisted of senior executives Robby Saywack, Angela Haniff, Dr. Cecil Beharry and Ameer Rahaman among others.
The meeting was described as very fruitful and successful and, according to Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu, formed part of the BCB’s plan to meet Government officials to seek their cooperation in transforming the state of Berbice cricket even further.
The Minister congratulated the BCB on its hard work over the last few years and indicated that he was willing to work along as he knows the passion Berbicians have for the game.
Foster provided the Minister with an update on the progress of Berbice Cricket and stated that despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the board has kept itself busy by making a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate.
The BCB is also working on a member of plans to hit the ground running whenever the cricket season restarts. Among the plans the board is working on are obtaining sponsorship for tournaments, formation of a semi-professional league, county-wide coaching, educational programmes and assistance for young cricketers.
The BCB would create history when it becomes the first board in Guyana to provide a one-year University of Guyana Scholarship to a young cricketer in the Ancient County. The scholarship would be sponsored by the Agriculture Minister and would bear his name.
The BCB would establish a Special Committee headed by veteran educator/Television Editor Gregory Rambarran to select the awardee of the scholarship. Cricketers across Berbice would be invited to send in applications for the scholarship, which would be in the agricultural field at the University.
Foster stated that while the scholarship is for one year, the BCB would consider extending it based on the performance of the student. The BCB in the next few years, the President disclosed, would be placing a lot of emphasis on the promotion of education among cricketers as it wants to produce all-rounded individuals.
Minister Mustapha also agreed to a G$300,000 sponsorship for the hosting of a junior cricket tournament in Berbice. The BCB in 2021 would be organising tournaments at the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 levels, while several inter-school tournaments would also be held.
Foster expressed gratitude to the Minister, who was once actively involved playing the game for his home village, Bloomfield. The Minister also committed to assisting the BCB in obtaining other sponsorship and to use his status as the Region Six Member of Parliament to push for the upgrading of grounds in the county.
The BCB last week also held successful meetings with Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat.
Minister Bharrat would officially be inducted as the Honorary Patron of the board on November 14.
