Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall last week injected a major boost into the developmental plans of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).
Following a meeting with BCB president, Hilbert Foster, which centered on the board’s plans for 2023, a commitment was made from both government officials.
Minister Bharrat, who is also the Patron of the BCB, will invest $3M into the Patron Fund with first-division clubs receiving $1M worth of white cricket balls. Coaching equipment, youth development seminars, coaching sessions and regular upgrading sessions for officials will also be funded.
“One such programme would be a refresher course for coaches and a captaincy seminar for all youth captains in the county,” a release from the BCB stated.
The release also noted that Bharrat has committed to playing a major role in the Berbice Under-21 team’s tour of Jamaica in April where a 14-member squad, accompanied by two officials, will play three 50-over matches over a one-week trip.
The Natural Resources Minister also informed the BCB that he intends to assist two promising players with their careers.
“Minister Bharrat established the fund when he was appointed Patron in 2020 and has played a major role in the rapid development of the county cricket over the last three years,” the release stated.
“Under the last Patron Fund, clubs received balls, hundreds of youths benefitted from the hosting of four personal skills seminars and dozens of cricketers received educational grants,” the release added.
Meanwhile, Minister Dharamlall assisted the BCB with the employment of 19 cricket coaches under the Government of Guyana’s 10-day working programme as well as supported with coaching equipment. This year, Minister Dharamlall will work along with the board to assist in the development of several concrete pitches and the playing of the sport in both Primary and Secondary schools.
Foster thanked the two ministers for their assistance and also hailed the government’s massive investment in sports this year as a step in the right direction. “The BCB,” he stated, “is very grateful for the investment that the Irfaan Ali government has made in the development and upgrading of several cricket venues in Berbice,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that several more venues would be upgraded in 2023.”
