17-year old Naeem Khan named BCB/Zulfikar Mustapha Agriculture Scholarship awardee

Seventeen-year-old Naeem Khan of Belvedere, Corentyne created history on Saturday last when he was selected to be the first awardee of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/ Zulfikar Mustapha Educational Scholarship.
An aspiring all-rounder, Khan plays cricket for the famous Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC) and the Chesney Cricket Club (CCC). This tall off-spin bowler attended the New Amsterdam Secondary School (Multi) and obtained passes in ten subjects.

BCB President Hilbert Foster has hailed the awarding of this scholarship as another red-letter day in the development of cricket in the county, and the start of major things to come. The BCB, he proudly stated, is the first cricket board in Guyana to award an educational scholarship, and this is because it values the importance of education to the overall development of youths.
Education is the cornerstone of a successful future, Foster declared as he called on all cricketers in the Ancient County to place emphasis on it.
He noted that an educated mind assists youths to think on their feet, enabling them to obtain jobs easily and to take care of themselves after their cricketing careers come to an end.
As BCB President, Foster had approached Minister Mustapha for sponsorship of a scholarship to the University of Guyana at the cost of $200,000. The Minister had readily agreed, but requested that the scholarship be in the agricultural field.
The BCB invited cricketers from across the county to apply for the scholarship. The following criteria was needed: the applicant must be a member of a cricket club, and must have a solid CSEC performance. The applicant must submit proof of acceptance into the University of Guyana.
The BCB received five applications, and after careful consideration by a special committee established by the board, Khan was selected. He would read for a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. The scholarship is worth $200,000 for the first year, and Foster has committed to its renewal if Khan achieves a GPA score of 3.0.
The BCB President also disclosed that great effort would be placed in obtaining another two or three educational scholarships for cricketers to attend the University of Guyana. Foster has said that the fields to be covered would be public communications, public management, and marketing.
The BCB, he said, would also assist cricketers to complete their educational career by assisting the less fortunate ones with bicycles, educational materials, footwear and school bags in a joint project with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.
The BCB for all of its Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 tournaments in 2021, would make it compulsory for a player to be attending school if he/she wants to participate.
Foster also used the opportunity to express gratitude to Minister Mustapha for his support, and hailed him as a longtime supporter of Berbice Cricket.
Naeem Khan has expressed gratitude to the BCB and to Minister Mustapha for their support, and pledged that he would make them proud of him.