Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 12, 2019 Sports
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday December 22 next would be hosting its Annual General Meeting and Election. Current President Hilbert Foster, MS would be seeking re-election for another two year term along with a carefully selected slate of candidates.
Foster stated that he was fully prepared to walk away after his highly successful first term but agreed to the request of countless clubs, young players, officials and parents as they are concerned about Berbice cricket returning to a state of dormancy.
Another reason, Foster stated is that numerous sponsors have indicated that they would only stay on board, if he remains as the President. Foster, who is also the Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS took over the leadership of the struggling BCB on the 18th February, 2018, at a Special Election ordered by Guyana’s High Court.
He took over the reins with no developmental programmes in place, no proper tournament in over two years, $42,000 in a dormant bank account, no sponsors, a system where clubs were closing down and players were walking away from the game out of frustration.
Twenty months later, Berbice cricket is at one of its highest levels ever and is on the move to even greater success. Foster recalled that the past Executive of the BCB has to date failed to account for over $2M withdrawn during a six months period in 2017 and has not handed over a single piece of document to ensure a smooth transition of the leadership.
Foster, in a January 2018 interview had stated that it would take a miracle from God to save Berbice cricket and a lot of hard work, dedication and sponsorship. The first thing, he did was to heal the great divide among the two warring factions and get former opponents to work along with him.
A massive marketing drive was launched and over $20M in cash and kind has been raised over the last twenty months for the development of the sport in Berbice. On the field of play, over sixty tournaments have been organised at the Under-13, 15, 17, 19, 21, Double Wicket, Primary and Secondary Schools, Female, Intermediate, Internal Zone, Inter Village, Second Division and First Division levels.
Countless programmes and projects were hosted and have been well publicized; Berbice players are also being recognised at the West Indies level in record numbers with the following players been called up over the last two years at different levels, Devendra Bishoo, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Isiah Thorne, Kevlon Anderson, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Jonathan Rampersaud and Kevin Umroa who was also included in training camps.
The BCB President stated that their 80th Anniversary celebration, Restoration of the BCB Office, reviving of cricket in the Riverain areas, formation of over 15 new clubs, the healing of divisions and the renewed passion for cricket at the village level are some of his most proud moments as President.
Another was the return of Inter County Cricket to Berbice after an absence of over a decade as well as the return of the Banks Beer two-day first division tournament after an absence of fifteen years.
The Board’s boss stated he has no intention of campaigning for the position as his unmatched achievements speaks for itself. The 13 clubs and three sub-associations have to decide it they want to return to the sad state of the recant past or to see more progress over the next two years. Foster’s plans for the period 2020 – 2021includes the hosting of at least 25 tournaments per year at the different levels, continuation of the two day tournament, continued upgrading of the BCB Office, expansion of the countywide Coaching programme, more tournaments and assistance for clubs in the riverain areas, construction of an all weather practice centre, assistance to clubs with proper youth structures, cricket gear for promising youth players and mentoring of young leaders at the Board level.
He identified young leaders including Ameer Rahaman, Dr. Cecil Beharry, Simon Naidu, Gregory Crandon, Kellon Henry, Balram Samaroo, Ryan Kissoonlall and Rovin Bahadur as leaders of the future to carry on when he leaves the stage.
Foster expressed gratitude to his executive, Office Administrator Angela Haniff, sponsors, clubs and members of the media for their cooperation during his term in office.
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