BCB members demand return of Senior Inter-County Tournament

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday last held its Annual General Meeting at its Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam head office.
President Hilbert Foster along with Vice President Qualis Winter, Jevaughn Stephen and Secretary Robby Saywack presided over a very cordial meeting, which attracted delegates from Albion Community Centre Club, Port Mourant Cricket Club, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Young Warriors Cricket Club, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club(RHTY&SC), Chesney Cricket Club, Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club, Kildonan Cricket Club, Mount Sinai Cricket Club, Mental Hospital Cricket Club and Guymine Sports Club.
No delegates from West Berbice Cricket Association, Blairmont Community Centre Club, Berbice River Cricket Association and Police Sports Club were present at the meeting, which approved the minutes of the two special meetings held during the month of December 2018.
Delegates also discussed reports from the President, Secretary, and Treasurer for 2018 and also plans for 2019 which include the hosting of a Two-Day First Division Tournament, seeking sponsorship for the construction of an indoor practice facility, more coaching programmes for junior cricketers, repairs to the BCB office, and preparation for Inter-County Tournaments. Delegates hailed the outstanding work of the BCB in 2018 and the remarkable progress made on and off the cricket field.
Foster presented an inclusive four-page report which included updates on the 30 cricket tournaments hosted by the Board, developmental programmes and the success of the Board’s sponsorship drive throughout the year which resulted in $10 million in cash and kind.
Delegates based on a recommendation from Vemen Walter of the Albion Community Centre Club approved a motion for the return of the Senior Inter-County Championship, the symbol of cricket supremacy in Guyana.
The delegates also approved motions from the floor for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to pay Berbice its annual subvention. The subvention is not a prize to be used to demand loyalty but for cricket development. The Board delegates noted the BCB has not received a subvention from the GCB since Keith Foster became President in 2008.
During the meeting, the delegates expressed total disappointment that Berbice players were being forced to travel to the city as many as four times per week for training sessions.
Delegates demanded that the GCB review this system, which is very costly financially, especially on those players who are earning $75,000 per month.
It was noted that the GCB has a multimillion-dollar Cricket Hostel which is locked up while Berbice cricketers have to either travel daily or pay huge monthly rentals in the city. Delegates also disclosed that Berbice has two Level Three Coaches, adequate practice facilities and a modern gym, and urged the GCB to allow the players to train at home.
Representatives as a united body also demanded that the GCB disclose the criteria used to select the Club of the Year. They were very vocal over the county’s most dominant Club, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) non-selection, as Guyana’s Club of the Year.