West Indies test batsman Shimron Hetmyer has decided to sponsor a cricket competition in Berbice.
According to a release Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster met with Hetmyer recently to discuss the development of cricket in the county and the Indian Premier League-bound youngster agreed to sponsor an intermediate tournament.
The tournament will be open to Berbice players only and teams will be allowed to play four division one players in each game.
A player who has played more than three 40-overs, 50-overs and Guyana Cricket Board Franchise matches in 2019 shall be deemed a first-division player.
Under-19 players too shall be considered first division players while a list with debarred senior players includes Hetmyer, Veerasammy Permaul, Clinton Pestano, Romario Shepherd, Devendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin and Gajanand Singh.
Teams such as Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant, Young Warriors, Blairmont Community Centre, Achievers, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Skeldon, Edinburgh and Mt. Sinai are expected to be part of the
50-overs Knockout tournament.
Foster praised Hetmyer for giving back to the county and urged him to continue being a positive role model to the youths in Berbice who look to him for inspiration.
He committed the BCB to organising a first-class tournament and the final will be held after Hetmyer returns from the IPL tournament.
Hetmyer, the 18th male Berbician to play Test cricket said that he was delighted to sponsor the tournament as he strongly believes in giving back.
The Berbice Cricket Board, he said was doing a great job promoting the game.
He recalled playing a similar tournament during his early days at the Young Warriors Cricket Club and committed himself to playing a major role in the development of Berbice cricket.
