BCB seeks Government input into the development of practice facilities in Berbice

— Coaching sessions to restart under strict COVID-19 protocols

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has kept itself busy over the last six months despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to make a positive impact on the development of the game in the Ancient County. Dozens of clubs and junior cricketers have benefited from donations of cricket gear, cricket balls, stumps, scorebooks, and food hampers.

The BCB also joined hands with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) to distribute over five thousand food hampers and other items such as medical supplies, cleaning detergents and household items to less fortunate families and public institutions.
Additionally, the BCB has hosted several programmes, such as Father of the Year, Mother of the Year, Basil Butcher Cricket Development Programme, and Youth Information booklet.
As part of its developmental programme, the BCB also extend an invitation to the head of a regional Caribbean Cricket Board to visit Berbice. The head has since accepted the invitation to visit after the pandemic, and then a BCB delegation will make a return trip.
The BCB is also in discussion with numerous sponsors so that Berbice Cricket will hit the ground running when the permission is given to restart. Support for a second two-day tournament has already been secured for 2021, while the board’s dream of having its own cricket pitch covers was made reality with the cooperation of former President Anil Beharry.
BCB President Hilbert Foster has also been very busy. Over the last month, he has had official discussions with Region Six Chairman David Armogan, Regional Executive Officer Navindra Persaud, and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha. The BCB President is expected to meet shortly with officials of the Region Five RDC and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr.
Foster has said the BCB is seeking to have all-weather indoor cricket practice facilities constructed in both Regions Five and Six.
Minister Mustapha, who is also the Member of Parliament for Region Six, congratulated the BCB on its outstanding work, and committed to find funding for at least one of the facilities.
Proposals are currently been prepared for submission to the relevant authorities. The BCB would also be pushing the regional bodies to invest in some of the major cricket grounds in the county.
Meanwhile the BCB/Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme will restart on Saturday, 3rd October under strict COVID-19 protocols. A maximum of ten under-15 cricketers would be involved in each session. Players would be required to wear masks, practice social distancing, sanitise their hands regularly, and walk with their own gear for the two-hour sessions.

The schedule for the Coaching programme is as follows:
1. Saturday 3rd October: Venue: Port Mourant. Time: 10am to noon.

2. Sunday 4th October: Venue: Albion. Time: 10am to noon

3. Wednesday 7th October: Venue: Rose Hall Town Area ‘H’ Ground. Time: 3pm to 5pm

4. Saturday 10th October: Venue: Rose Hall Canje Cricket Ground.
Time: 10am to noon

5.Sunday 11th October: Venue: Edinburgh CC. Time: 10am to noon

6a. Saturday 18th October: Venue: Blairmont Cricket Ground. Time: 10am to noon

6b. Saturday 18th October: Venue: Achievers Cricket Ground. Time: 1pm to 3pm

7a. Sunday 19th October: Venue: #73 Cricket Ground Time:10am to noon

7b. Sunday 19th October: Venue: Scottsburg Cricket Ground. Time: 1pm to 3pm.

8.Saturday 26th October: Venue: Tucber Park CC. Time: 10am to noon

9.Sunday 27th October: Venue: #19 Kendall’s Union Ground. Time: 10am to noon.

10. Wednesday 14th October: Venue: Area ‘H’ Ground. Time: 3pm to 5pm.