The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday officially launched the third annual Under-19 tournament sponsored by Manoj and Narine Spready’s Bakery at a cost of $200,000.

Spready’s Bakery representative N. Fudadin (second from right) hands over the sponsorship cheque to BCB’s treasurer Anil Beharry while Keith Foster (L) and Carl Moore (R) look on.

The tournament involves close to 40 teams from Regions Five and Six and will be played on a round robin/knockout basis.

Spready’s Bakery representative N. Fudadin stated that his company was pleased to invest in Berbice cricket as they were impressed by the work of the BCB.

He added that the sponsorship was also a way of giving back to the community for its support over the years.

President of the BCB, Keith Foster, disclosed that the county was assured of sponsorship for every level from the under-13 to senior level and said the board was very determined to show that Berbice would not only defend the Inter-County tournaments they won last year but would win those they failed to win in 2009.

He called on young cricketers to work hard on their game by correcting technical problems, ensuring that they are disciplined on and off the field and to be proper role models to every youth they interact with.
Special Events Committee chairman and Public Relations Officer of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, who organized the partnership, hailed the sponsor for the investment in youths and the development of cricket in the ancient county.

“Cricket was at a high level in Berbice due to the work of the BCB and the board was heavily invested in for the development of the under-13 to under-19 levels with an eye on the future,” Foster stated.

He further disclosed that the board would use the Spready’s tournament as a guide to select players for the upcoming under-19 inter-zone tournament from where the Berbice Inter-County team will be selected.

The winning team will receive $40,000 and a trophy and the runners up – $25,000 and a trophy.

There will also be several other individual prizes up for grabs.

BCB’s treasurer, Anil Beharry stated that the board was financially solid due to careful management and proper accountability of everyone. Clubs who have an interest in being a part of the tournament are asked to call the office of the Berbice Cricket Board on telephone number 333-2375.

The tournament starts next week.

Clubs that have received forms are reminded to fill out same and send to the office as early as possible so that the fixtures can be prepared for the start of the tournament.