ON A WHIM:
On July 30 BCB President Hilbert Foster visited the Whim CC at the invitation of the club where he met with members of club and NDC Chairman Omeshwar Sirikishun. The BCB President’s presence served to resolve some problems affecting the club. He also encouraged the members of the Whim team to work with the NDC for the betterment of cricket in the area. Mr Foster also got the Chairman to agree to meet the club every two months to discuss areas of cooperation. The President also donated six school bags for youths in the area along with a hamper, special gift and a designer watch for prizes for the club’s upcoming fundraiser. Mr Foster also committed to standing with the club in the future.
BATTING CAGE #4:
The BCB has completed placement of its fourth batting cage with the sponsorship of Contractor Peter Lewis. The cage was constructed at the Bush Lot United Sports for youths in the West Berbice area. Other clubs who have benefited to date are RHTYSC, Canje, and Port Mourant while yet another one was to be placed the very next day at the No 72 Cut and Load Club. Four clubs have also received batting machines and another two would also be received shortly. Berbice cricket is on the move with unmatched development taking place across the entire county.
BUSH LOT BOWLING MACHINE:
BCB President Hilbert Foster visited the Bush Lot Cricket Ground on July 9 to officially hand over a bowling machine to the Bush Lot United Sports Club. He was accompanied by Region Five Vice Chairman Rion Peters, who was the sponsor. Mr Foster urged the club to take care of the
expensive equipment and to invest heavily in the
development of youths . Vice Chairman Peters
stated that he was pleased to be associated
with Berbice cricket and the sports club. The
BCB would shortly hand over a batting cage to
the club shortly. Mr Foster also handed over a
complete set of wicket-keeping gears to the Club
President Rajiv Kishun. A representative of the
progressive cricket club expressed thanks to the
BCB President and Mr Peters for their assistance.
The total investment when the cage is handed
over would be over six hundred thousand dollars.
During his visit President Foster also took time
to launch the Diors Bits and Pieces Under 23
knockout tournament for teams in the county.
The President expressed thanks to sponsor
Sandie Ross for her support and noted that the
tournament is one of several at the age group
level. The tournament is for players born on or
after the first of September 2000.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS:
Massiah Primary School emerged championsof the BCB/Roy Baijnauth Upper Corentyne Primary
School tournament. They defeated Yakusari in the July 6
finals at the No 48 ground.
In the semi finals, Massaih defeated Skeldon Primary by
eight wickets to advance to the finals after Yakusari drew
the bye. Skeldon only scored 31 for 9 off their allotted
ten overs and the eventual champions easily passed
that for the loss of two wickets. In the finals, Massiah
amassed 89 for 5 with Marvin Chapelle stroking an
attractive 41. In reply, the team from Black Bush Polder
were dismissed for 45 as Chapelle returned with the ball
to claim two wickets. He received support from Rayon
Reece and Zakariyya Khan who also took two wickets
each.
The teams all received vouchers for educational materials
while Chapelle carried home a special gift after been
named Man of the Finals. BCB President Hilbert Foster
was present at the presentation and expressed thanks
to Mr George Baijnauth for sponsoring the tournament
in memory of his brother, a former President of the
BCB and UCCA. Massiah Primary has now advanced to
the overall championship where they would meet the
winners of the three other sub zones-West Berbice,
New Amsterdam/Canje and Lower Corentyne.
EDUCATION EMPHASIS:
BCB President Hilbert Foster has urged
young cricketers in the Upper Corentyne
area to place special emphasis on their
education as it is the most important asset
they can obtain in life. He told them that
while sports is very important, they should
make education the number one goal right
now. He cautioned that only a few of
them would go on to become professional
cricketers and as such the need for a solid
educational background is very important.
The BCB he stated would strive at all
times under his leadership to produce
outstanding players on and off the cricket
field. The Board said President Foster is
committed to the highest standard and he
hailed the investment being made in the
Primary school system as a stepping stone
to unearthing new talents for the future.
He reassured the teams in the finals of the
BCB/ Roy Baijnauth Memorial Tournament
that his administration would continue to
invest in school cricket and provide all the
necessary assistance.
PRESIDENTIAL GRATITUDE:
BCB President Hilbert Foster has expressed
thanks to Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
for taking time from his busy schedule to meet with cricket
and football clubs at the Albion Ground recently. During
his visit and on the government’s behalf over four hundred
millions dollars was committed to the development of eighty
grounds for sports. The Berbice Cricket Board is obviously
very pleased with this development. Mr Foster is expected
to meet Dr Jagdeo in a few weeks to discuss some other
cricket development matters.