BCB launches Lewison General Store Under-15 Tournament

ꟷ first of 25+ tournaments for 2020

“Since my election as President of the BCB in February 2018, the board has launched over sixty tournaments at the different levels, and it is my aim to host another 25 in 2020. By the end of my second term, in December 2021, the BCB would have successfully completed a minimum of 120 tournaments, as we seek to make sure that all of our cricketers have adequate opportunity to develop their skills”.

Those were the words of Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster as he launched the Lewison General Store Under- 15 tournament for 2020.
Foster also disclosed that the BCB is currently pushing to complete the Mike’s Pharmacy Under-15 tournament for 2019. Albion is a finalist in that tournament, and the team it will be opposing would be decided shortly.
He further disclosed that, as part of an expanded youth development programme, the BCB is aiming to host two under-15 tournaments in 2020. The Lewison General Store Under-15 tourney will start on January 18, and at least 20 teams will participate therein. Those teams will be divided into three zones, with the top two teams from each zone qualifying for the playoff segments. This tournament would be played in a 50-overs-per-side format as part of the country’s preparation for the inter-county tournament.
The cut-off date of birth for players participating in this tournament has been determined at September 1, 2005, and Foster has admonished clubs to make sure they have the relevant documents to verify the dates of birth of their players, as any club fielding an overage player would face a ban.
Keen competition is anticipated in this tournament, with teams like Albion, Port Mourant, Blairmont, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh, #73, Achievers, Bush Lot United and Mt. Sinai expected to participate.
Among the players expected to register dominant performances are Matthew Pottaya, Rampertab Ramnauth, Salim Khan, Damion Cecil, Sanjay Algoo, Avishkar Persaud, Tuvraj Shaundeo and Kumar Deopersaud.
Foster has also disclosed that the BCB would be hosting tournaments at the under-13, under-17, under-19, under-21 and under-23 levels; and trial matches would be organised at the under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels to make sure the best possible team is selected to represent Berbice.
The BCB President has expressed deep gratitude to the sponsors of tournaments for coming on board the BCB programmes, and has assured that the BCB would work assiduously to complete each tournament within a three-month timeframe.
Berbice Cricket, he has said, is attracting unmatched sponsorship because the business community has full confidence in its leadership. He noted that the BCB administration assumed control of a savings account that had a mere forty-thousand dollars therein, but has, over the last 22 months, raised in excess of $20 million in cash and kind.
Co-owner of Lewison General Store, Neal Lewis, has said the entity is delighted to assist Berbice Cricket, and there is full confidence that the tournament would be well organised.