Berbice Cricket Board describes first half of 2011 as successful

The Berbice Cricket Board at a well attended press conference and presentation ceremony on Thursday described the first half of 2011 as highly successful and progressive.

Public Relations Officer of the Berbice Cricket Board and Chairman of the Special Events Committee Hilbert Foster in a detailed report on the Board’s activities for the first half of the year stated that the BCB was well on the way to achieving all its objectives and goals for 2011.

Foster who shared the press conference with Berbice Cricket Board President Keith Foster, Treasurer Anil Beharry and Coaching Co-ordinator Julian Moore stated that the BCB was able to complete several cricket tournaments despite the rainy season while numerous off the field activities were also organised.

The programmes completed to date include the launching of the Berbice Cricket Board Annual Magazine, the Educational Awards Scheme, Unveiling of the All Time Under-15 team, Annual Awards Scheme, Inter-county Cap System, Tribute to Retired Cricketers Programme, Junior Elite Training Programme, Mother and Father of the Year Awards, honouring Coach Michael Hyles as a Berbice Cricketing Hero, Under-15 and Under-19 MVP Programmes, BCB Charity Programme and presentation of balls and stumps to cricket clubs in Berbice.

The BCB was also able to successfully run the Millie Lewis Female Competition, Tenelec Inc. Under-15, Spready’s Bakery Under-19, Ricks & Sari Agro Industries Under-13, NBS Second Division and NCN Inter-zone Under-15 Tournaments while the Diamond Fire & General Insurance Under-19 Inter-zone tournament is at the finals stage.

Foster announced also that the county was able to retain the Guyana Cricket Board Inter-county Under-15 and Under-19 One Day tournament titles  while ten Berbicians represented Guyana at the senior level. Four are currently in the national Under-15 team in Trinidad and seven are in the national Under-19 team.

Three Berbicians – Tremayne Smartt, Shemaine Campbelle and Subrina Munroe toured India with the West Indies Female Team while Devendra Bishoo became the 15th Berbician to play Test cricket.

Coaching co-ordinator Julian Moore also disclosed that the BCB also organised an Under-15 Elite Training programme, Under-13 Elite Training programme for three weeks, batting clinics for Under-17 batsmen and fast bowling clinics for Under-19 players.

Treasurer of the Berbice Cricket Board Anil Beharry gave a  report on the Board’s financial statement for the period 5th February to 4th May, 2011.

Among the credits received by the Berbice Cricket Board were $202,000 from NCN, $335,000 from Diamond Fire & General Insurance, and $100,000 from  Berbice Cricket Board launching match.

And the total payments made by the BCB  for the period under review was $1,411 693.  The current balance of the BCB’s account as of 7th July, 2011 was $1,476,613 and the treasurer described the Board’s situation as healthy. He also urged all stakeholders of Berbice cricket to visit the Board’s office to review the financial statements.

Meanwhile, upcoming programmes of the BCB include the 3rd Annual Cricket Academy, Tribute to Heroes programme, Education Quiz Competition, Berbice Essay Competition, 4th Annual Review Magazine, Devendra Bishoo Trust Fund, Senior Players’ Charity Programme, Scotia Bank Kiddies Cricket and Digicel Grassroots Programmes, and specialist clinics.

The finals of the Banks Light Beer three-day and Diamond Fire & General Insurance Under-19 Inter-zone tournaments would be played off shortly while upcoming tournaments for 2011 include the Ramcharitar Construction Services First Division 40 Overs, Tenelec Inc 50 Overs, Spready’s Under-19, Tenelec Inc Under-15 Inter Club, Republic Bank Under-17 Inter-zone, Poonai’s Pharmacy Under-13 Inter-zone, Peter Lewis Under-21 and Memorex Under-17.