BCB launches KSM Investment 50-Over 1st Division Tournament

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday last launched one of several cricket tournaments it intends to host for First Division teams in the ancient county during the current year.

During a simple presentation ceremony at the Good Hope, East Coast Demerara head office of KSM Investment Inc, the Board launched a fifty-over, first division tournament. BCB President Dr Cecil Beharry led a delegation which included Junior Selection chairman Balram Samaroo and Administrator Angela Haniff, while Chief Executive Officer of the sponsor, Mahadeo Panchu, represented his company.
The BCB President, in remarks, stated that his administration will be hosting several first division tournaments in 2026, including two 50-over competitions, one 20/20, one Patron 10/10 and a two-day competition for clubs in the county.
The KSM Investment tournament would involve twelve teams divided into four sub-zones, with the top two from each zone advancing to the quarter-finals. The teams expected to participate are Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt, Upper Corentyne, Skeldon and Berbice River.
The tournament is expected to be of a high standard, as players like Romario Shepherd, Shamar Joseph, Nial Smith, Zeynul Ramsammy, Isai Thorne, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Kelvon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall and Rampertab Ramnauth are expected to be playing for their respective teams.
The BCB President also announced that emphasis would be placed on coaching among the younger players across Berbice. In that regard, special clinics will be held for batsmen, fast bowlers, spinners and wicketkeepers. The main objective of the clinics would be to improve the cricketing talent of the county’s most promising players.
The BCB boss, who is also the President of the Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club, expressed gratitude to the management and staff of KSM Investment Inc, especially Mr Mahadeo Panchu. Former national youth player Balram Samaroo, who serves on the BCB competition committee, assured the sponsor that the tournament would be well organised and completed before the end of the third quarter of 2026.
The national junior selector urged the youth players in the county to take advantage of the hard work of the BCB by putting in outstanding performances with both bat and ball. He noted that the board in 2026 would be hosting tournaments at the under-12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, second division, female, intermediate and first division levels.
CEO of KSM Investment, Mahadeo Panchu, stated that he was more than delighted to be associated with Berbice Cricket. He noted that the county has produced numerous cricketing legends like John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Soloman, Roy Fredricks and Alvin Kallicharran. Panchu also stated that Berbice is presently producing a high percentage of the senior players for Guyana. He congratulated the BCB on the outstanding work it is doing and urged it to uphold its high standards.
The KSM sponsorship covers the cost of cash incentives for the top two teams, trophies, expenses for the grand finals and umpiring for the tournament, among others. The company is a winner of the President Award and produces top-quality concrete products such as pavers and concrete blocks and is also a major distributor of cement.