Delegates from 15 of the 16 members of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) turned up at the Port Mourant Cricket Club on Sunday as the Board hosted its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) for 2023.
Under the chairmanship of President Hilbert Foster, the Board held the OGM, which was peaceful and very productive.
The only official member absent was the Fort Canje Mental Hospital while those in attendance were West Berbice Cricket Association; Upper Corentyne Cricket Association; Berbice Rover CA; Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club; and Blairmont, Guymine, Police, Mount Sinai, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Chesney, Port Mourant, Albion, Whim, and Kildonan cricket clubs.
Delegates unanimously approved a comprehensive report from the President along with minutes of the last meeting. Delegates also received the financial report from the Board.
Foster, in his opening remarks, expressed thanks to members for their support during his recent illness and recovery. He stated that while he was not 100 per cent recovered, he was deeply committed to making Berbice cricket the best in the West Indies. He urged members to remain united and to always place the interest of the game and youths above personal interest. The major points of the meeting were:
1. Delegates passed a motion from Vemen Walters of Albion for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to provide the remainder of the BCB stipend for 2021 along with 2022 and 2023.
2. Delegates expressed their disgust and frustration at the GCB for declaring the Speaker Cup for First-Division teams illegal. One delegate stated that with sponsorship being limited, the national board should be encouraging cricket at all levels.
3. Approval was given for the BCB to enter into an agreement with international cricket journalist Tony Mc Watts for a monthly online full coloured magazine. The BCB is expected to benefit financially from the deal, with funds being used for youth developmental projects. A three-man committee headed by Sudesh Dhanai would work to make all the arrangements. The other members are Ryan Algu and Davindra Ramdihal.
4. The BCB has set up a three-man committee headed by Balram Samaroo to make plans for the hosting of two-day First-Division cricket in Berbice. The committee’s other members are Vemen Walters and Ryan Algu.
5. Tucber Park CC was officially inducted as an official voting member of the Board after successfully undergoing the entry process. Members voted unanimously to accept the club as the BCB’s 17th member.
6. The BCB would host three cricket academies during the August holidays at Cotton Tree, Port Mourant, and Number 72 Cut and Load.
7. The BCB would organise a historic Under-11 tournament in August. A committee was set up to make rules for the tournament and to decide on the format to be used.
8. The BCB President distributed $300,000 worth of cricket gear to several clubs – Police, Blairmont, Kildonan, Mount Sinai, Young Warriors, and Upper Corentyne.
9. It was announced that a friend of Berbice cricket from Australia later in 2023 would donate a shipping container of cricket gear, including numerous bowling machines, fielding nets and cricket balls.
10. A decision was taken to complete the long-delayed 2022 Minister Mustapha Under-15 tournament. Three teams – Albion, Port Mourant and Tucber Park – are the teams remaining.
11. The 2022 Tenelec 50-over First-Division tournament would be completed shortly.
12. Delegates were brought up to date on the Board’s multimillion-dollar project to distribute six bowling machines and five batting cages.
13. Second-Division teams in Berbice would soon benefit from a million dollars’ worth of red balls. First-Division teams have already received a similar contribution.
14. Coaches Albert Smith and Winston Smith were mandated to create the programme for the cricket academies for youth players.
15. Delegates urged the executives of the Board to seek an urgent meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali to discuss areas of cooperation.
16. The meeting was informed of the successful discussion with the University of Guyana. The Board would be working along with the University on a number of projects.
17. The meeting was informed of the BCB’s massive marketing drive and a major deal clinched for Berbice cricket.
18. Delegates approved a financial donation for the medical expenses of former Berbice player and coach, Adrian Amsterdam.
19. Delegates hailed the hard work of the BCB and expressed confidence in the current leadership.
20. The BCB congratulated all the Berbice players who gained selection to the national junior teams and also at the senior West Indies level.
Foster, at the end of the meeting, expressed gratitude to the members for their cooperation and noted that the future of the game in the ancient county was bright. He also committed to making sure that the Board continued to be proactive, transparent and committed. The BCB President also noted that the three-hour meeting had been incident-free and no disagreement occurred as clubs united behind their active leadership.
