BCB/Dave West Indian Imports launches countywide second division 20/20 tournament

– approximately 100 teams to participate

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), in its ongoing effort to play cricket in every part of the ancient county, last Sunday joined hands with the management of Dave West Indian Imports to launch a countywide second division 20/20 tournament.
The launching was done during the BCB Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony at the St. Francis Community Training Centre. Cricketing legends Sir Andy Roberts, Dr. Desmond Haynes, Roland Butcher and Jimmy Adams were part of the historic launching.
BCB President Hilbert Foster disclosed that Managing Director of the company, Dave Narine, had late last year approached him at the Marriott Hotel, expressing an interest in sponsoring a countywide tournament.
It was agreed that the company would sponsor a second division event, and the tournament would first be played in five areas: Berbice River, New Amsterdam/Canje, West Berbice, Lower/Central Corentyne, and Upper Corentyne.
Teams in the five sub- associations would play each other on a round-robin basis, and end with a champion in each area. The five top teams would then square off in a special championship to produce an overall Berbice champion.
Among the teams expected to play in the tournament are D’ Edward CC, Cotton Tree, Blairmont, Bath, Paradise, and Achievers, of the West Berbice clubs; while the favourites in the New Amsterdam/Canje are Rose Hall Canje, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, East Bank Blazers, and Edinburgh.
Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Port Mourant, Albion, Chesney, Rose Hall Tigers, Whim are all expected to dominate the Lower Corentyne area; while Upper Corentyne Zone would include No 72 Cut and Load, Dukestown, Skeldon, Crabwood Creek and No. 73 Young Warriors.
The champion in each sub- association would receive a financial prize and champion’s trophy, while the overall champion would take home $100,000. Foster expressed thanks to Mr. Narine for reaching out to the BCB.
Narine has said he is very impressed with the direction that Berbice Cricket is heading, and as a Berbician, he wants to play a part in the way forward.
He said he is confident that new and promising talents would be unearthed during the tournament.
Narine is urging the teams to play in an orderly manner.
BCB Assistant Treasurer Neil Rudder and Vice President for Finance, Dr. Cecil Beharry, received the sponsorship cheque from Narine in the presence of the cricketing legends.