…MP Jaferally Trust Fund launched for West Berbice
Representatives of cricket clubs in Berbice on Sunday declared that they prefer cricket organised by their proactive board be for Berbicians only when the Berbice Cricket Board season begins.
Faizal Jaferally handing over sponsorship to Leslie Soloman in the presence of BCB President Hilbert Foster and representatives of clubs in West Berbice
This message was communicated to BCB President Hilbert Foster and Chairman of the Competition Committee Leslie Soloman during a special face the club meeting at the Albion Community Centre.
The meeting was a continuation of the BCB’s effort to meet with stakeholders on a regular basis to consult on major decisions concerning the development of the game. The BCB President has held over 50 such meetings across the county over the last four years as part of a comprehensive consulting programme with sub- associations, clubs and other stakeholders.
At the start of the meeting, the BCB President said his administration had agreed to relax the rule concerning allowing non-Berbicians to play in BCB-organised tournaments. The board had proposed to allow clubs to register two non-Berbicians per season, with one being allowed to play per match.
Clubs, however, have expressed their disapproval of such a move, as they feel it would affect local players. The clubs and the BCB top brass agreed on a wide range of points, including rules for walkovers, COVID-19 guidelines, registration of players, and penalties for clubs who fail to follow rules.
The BCB President also used the opportunity to inform the clubs on upcoming tournaments, developmental plans for 2022, and areas of assistance for them. Clubs would shortly benefit from donations of cricket balls and scorebooks, while dozens of youths would receive cricket gear under the BCB developmental programme.
The BCB’s countywide coaching programme was also discussed, with the board announcing upcoming visits by Sir Andy Roberts and Roland Butcher for a cricketing clinic in April. The clubs were also informed of upcoming cricket tournaments at the under-17, under-19, female, second division and first division levels. The first division tournaments that would start shortly would be the Ivan Madray 20/20 tournament and the Tenelec Inc 50 overs.
Internal tournaments would also be played in West Berbice, Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje, and Upper Corentyne.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, the BCB and Government Member of Parliament Faizal Jafferally launched the second edition of the Jaferally 20/20 tournament for teams in West Berbice, and a developmental fund for the area. The popular Member of Parliament handed over five hundred thousand dollars to the BCB, with half of the amount to be used for each project. Clubs in the area would each receive a box of cricket balls and a pair of wicket-keeping gloves under the MP Jaferally Developmental Programme, while at least twelve teams would play in the 20/20 tournament from this weekend.
In brief remarks, Jafferally said that as long as Foster remains the head of the board, he would support the game, as Foster leads a very accountable, visionary and transparent administration which has transformed the game in the county. He pledged continued support, and even hinted that the developmental project could be expanded in the future.
The Member of Parliament has also assisted the BCB to obtain several cricket sponsorships in the area for 2022 at the under-15, under-23 and second division levels.
Foster, who described Jaferally as a personal friend, hailed his contribution to the game, and stated that the Member of Parliament is one of the main reasons his presidency is a success.
