BCB delegation visits Upper Corentyne area to meet cricket clubs

– 2021 player registration season completed

The longstanding problem of registration of players for participation in tournaments in the Upper Corentyne area was resolved on Tuesday last when Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster and an 8-man delegation met with clubs in that area.
Representatives of 26 clubs were present at that meeting, which was chaired by President of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA), Dennis D’Andrade.
Members of the BCB delegation included Vice President Albert Smith, Treasurer Dr Cecil Beharry, Asst Secretary Ameer Rahaman, Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu, and Competitions Committee Chairman Leslie Soloman.

Foster noted that the main problem in the area was the registration of players and the habit of players leaving clubs regularly; and, in some cases, players representing as many as three clubs in the calendar year. He disclosed that the BCB, with support of the UCCA, organised the meeting to resolve the problem, so that the packed cricket season for the area can start.
On his 81st visit to this sub-association since his election as BCB President, Foster explained that once players have been registered with a club for 2021, they would have to play out the year with that club.
No request for transfer would be accepted in 2021, while players who desire to move to another club in 2022 would have to follow the BCB guidelines and produce permission from their old club as well as acceptance from the one to which they are seeking transfer.
The BCB delegation worked along with each of the clubs on their lists of players, and apart from two minor objections, the process went smoothly. More than 400 players were registered during that two-hour session.
Further, Foster informed the clubs of the major plans for the Upper Corentyne area for 2021. Those include at least 4 cricket tournaments, a mini cricket academy, coaching clinics, assistance for clubs, and scholarship for a cricketer to attend the University of Guyana.

Clubs in the area have already benefited from donations of cricket balls, cricket gears, scorebooks, trophies and catching cribs from the BCB this year. Two weeks ago, 8 clubs in the area received $1.4M worth of gears from an overseas donor.
It was disclosed that the UCCA and the BCB would, in early April, be hosting 2 knockout tournaments: the Vishu Super Store 40-over, and the Vitality 20/20.
Teams have been encouraged to register for upcoming tournaments which would start shortly at the U-13, U-19, U-21, U-23, Intermediate, countywide second division, and female levels.
The BCB delegation also discussed UCCA participation in first division cricket, and the debarring of players. The Skeldon Community Centre Cricket Club received a financial donation from the BCB to assist in the purchase of gear, while the UCCA was presented with a huge quantity of kites for distribution to children in the area as part of their outreach programme.
Several clubs which did not attend the recent Shimron Hetmyer Trust Fund programme were still able to collect their donation of cricket balls and scorebooks.
At the end of the meeting, Foster urged the teams to remain united, disciplined, and working along with management of the UCCA.
He specially mentioned the outstanding work of the UCCA President and Vice President Sydney Jackman, who at age 80 continues to be a livewire of energy and commitment.
UCCA President Dennis D’Andrade expressed gratitude to Foster for his hard work, and the special emphasis he places on cricket in the UCCA sub-association.