Executives, members of various clubs and the President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would like to express gratitude to legendary Guyanese singing icon Dave Martins for his contribution to the historic fundraising concert that the Board hosted on November 3.
BCB Office Administrator Angela Haniff presents the “Tribute to Heroes” Award to Dave Martins
The concert was held in the compound of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) as part of the Board’s effort to raise funds for its Cricket Developmental Programme.
Martins, in a sterling performance, wound back the years and had his passionate fans singing along to his famous songs, including “Cricket in the Jungle”, “Honeymooning Couple”, “Not a Blade of Grass” and “Boyhood Days”.
BCB President Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to Martins and his band for performing at the concert with minimum cost to the Board. The vibrant Cricket Board presented Martins with its highest Award “Tribute to Heroes”.
The legendary singer was the 17th awardee joining the likes of Mortimer George, Carl Moore, Malcolm Peters, Ancel Hazel, Lennox Phillips, and the late Leslie Amsterdam.
Foster hailed Martins as a strong supporter of cricket in the Caribbean and recalled the happy memories West Indians could associate with his tune “We are the Champions”. The song served for over a decade as the unofficial anthem of West Indies cricket.
The Board also expressed its gratitude to Joseph “Reds” Perreira for his role in organising Martins’ participation in the concert.
The legendary Guyanese cricket commentator visited the Ancient County in July 2018, and as part of his commitment to Berbice cricket, organised the concert.
The BCB also acknowledges the support of Barron Food of St Lucia and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ronald Ramjattan and Troy Cadogan of ANSA McAL.
Special thanks also went out to the management of NATI, National Communications Network, Claudette Watts of Watsan’s Catering and the Guyana Beverage Company.
Funds raised will be used for the preparation of the Berbice Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 teams for the 2019 Inter-county season.
The energetic Foster noted that the Board in 2018 had already successfully completed 16 cricket tournaments while the Mogu Mogu Inter-Secondary School; New Building Society (NBS) Second Division, Pepsi 50-Over, Brian Ramphal Double Wicket, Da Silva Under-13 and Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 Tournaments for 2019 have already started.
The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Double Wicket Under-17 and Under-19 2019 Tournaments, Nand Persaud Female and another First Division Tournament would also bowl off soon.
Additionally, over the last nine months, the Board has successfully organised dozens of programmes which included a cricket academy, coaching clinics, award ceremonies and educational movements as part of its intense effort to lift Berbice cricket higher.
The Board, under the leadership of Foster, has also raised over $8 million in cash and kind to assist the promotion of the game.
