The rapid development of cricket in the Ancient County continues to motor along at a fast rate as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday (March 14) officially launched the historic Shimron/Nirvani Hetmyer Berbice Cricket Trust Fund at the St. Francis Community Developers Training Centre at Rose Hall Town.
Close to 70 cricket clubs received a box of red cricket balls, while nine young cricketers from the New Amsterdam/East Bank Berbice and Canje areas carried home an education grant of G$25,000 to purchase much needed school items.
Berbice Under-19 player Gourav Ramesh also pocketed G$20,000 after been named the MVP of the recent Guyana Cricket Board Under-19 tournament.
BCB President Hilbert Foster called the launching of the Trust Fund as another red letter day in the development of Berbice cricket as it represents the largest-ever investment by a player into the development of the game.
The BCB received G$1 million from the Hetmyers for the Fund, while the Board invested an additional G$100,000.
Eight hundred thousand dollars was used to purchase the balls, G$225,000 was shared to the nine students, while another G$100,000 is for the honouring of Berbice Inter-county Most Valuable Players.
Foster hailed the West Indies Player for remembering his roots and disclosed that over the last three years he has donated millions of dollars to the development of the game.
For 2021 alone, in addition to his million-dollar sponsorship of the Trust Fund, Hetmyer has sponsored three cricket tournaments and has assisted numerous charity programmes, including a 98-year-old robbery victim in Rose Hall Town.
Foster urged the young players to make their educational career a top goal in life and also urged the clubs to invest heavily into youth development.
In a comprehensive report, the BCB President informed the attentive gathering of plans for 2021, which include the hosting of the semi-professional league, the visit of two international cricketing superstars, distribution of millions of dollars’ worth of cricket gear from England and India, along with the hosting of at least 40 tournaments at all levels.
BCB Patron and Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, in a well-received feature address, spoke broadly of the importance of discipline, proper club management, education and the need to give back to society.
The BCB Patron urged the clubs to follow the board’s guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the wearing of masks, and allowing no spectators into venues.
He specially hailed the contribution of Hetmyer to Berbice Cricket and pledged that as Patron of the BCB, he would work very hard to make sure that every dream is fulfilled across the county.
Hetmyer, in brief remarks, stated that he was very delighted with the current development taking place in Berbice cricket and felt privileged to give back.
He noted that he clearly remembers his struggles growing up, and as such, wanted to assist as much as possible, so that other youth can realise their dreams, on and off the cricket field.
He committed to continue assisting Berbice cricket in the future.
Other speakers at the event included BCB Assistant Secretary Ameer Rahaman, Mayor of Rose Hall Town Dave Budhu, Region Six Regional Executive Officer Navindra Persaud and Regional Youth Officer Omeshwar Srikishun.
Representatives of the clubs expressed gratitude to Hetmyer and his wife for their assistance and committed to use the donation for the intended purpose.
Among the clubs that received a box of balls were Port Mourant, Achievers, University of Guyana Elites, Scottsburg, Guymine, Mt. Sinai, Edinburg, Kildonan, Bush Lot United, Achievers, Cotton Tree, Hampshire, Albion, Tain and Whim. (Berbice Cricket Board Press Release)
