BCB/Lochan Samkarran project assists 6 West Berbice schools with uniforms and gear
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continues to invest heavily in the development of cricketing talent at the school level.
A delegation of executives headed by BCB President Hilbert Foster on Friday handed over uniforms, cricket balls and gear to six secondary schools in the West Berbice area. The total donation was worth close to one million dollars.
In remarks at the handing over, Foster stated that the BCB was committed to taking Berbice cricket to a very high level and believed that in order to do so, they would have to invest heavily in youths at both the club and school level. Schools, he stated, are the nursery for the clubs and the BCB’s main objective is to facilitate the game at both the primary and the secondary level. He announced that the BCB in early 2023 would be hosting a 30-over Under-19 tournament for six secondary schools and a tapeball tournament for 14 primary schools in the West Coast Berbice area.
To loud applause, Foster announced that sponsorships for both tournaments have been obtained. Firstly, a comprehensive coaching programme in secondary schools with sponsorship from Namilco would be organised. Following the two tournaments, an elite squad of 30 players from each level would be selected for special coaching sessions with BCB Coaches.
Representatives of the schools pose with Government MP Faizal Jaferally and BCB officials
Foster urged the schools to take proper care of the donated items and to use them for their intended purpose: Each school received 15 pairs of uniforms with the names of the school, two boxes of red balls and other cricket gear including bats, batting gloves, wicketkeeping gloves, and private guards. The schools benefiting were Fort Wellington, Rosignol, No. 8, Belladrum, Woodley Park, and Bush Lot Secondary Schools.
Government Member of Parliament (MP), Faizal Jaferally congratulated the Cricket Board for its outstanding leadership of the game. Noting that investment at the school level was very important, Jaferally urged the leadership of the schools to place special emphasis on the game. He traced the legacy of Berbice cricket from the days of John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, and Basil Butcher, and stated that the legacy must be upheld at all costs. He also pledged his support to the BCB in the future. The People’s Progressive Party MP since 2018 has worked closely with the Foster-led administration to develop the game by sponsoring tournaments, a cricket trust fund and also securing sponsorships for tournaments in the West Berbice area.
The West Berbice Cricket Association President expressed thanks to the BCB and sponsor Lochan Samkarran for the investment. The donation, he stated, will play a major role in identifying new talents for Region Five. Blacks expressed delight with the special emphasis being placed on the sub-association with assistance to schools and clubs while several tournaments are being organised along with coaching sessions.
Samkarran is a US-based businessman and with his support, the BCB was able to assist a total of 23 secondary schools across the county with an estimated $3 million worth of uniforms, balls and gear.
