BCB/Smalta Life Development Programme… Dozens of youth cricketers benefit from developmental seminar in Berbice

Close to 100 youth cricketers in the ancient county of Berbice are now better prepared to represent the county on and off the field after successfully participating in a life development seminar.
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Smalta One Day Life Development Seminar was organised by the Cricket Development Committee of the Board with the support of the Guyana Breweries. It was held at the Port Mourant Community Centre and was attended by youth cricketers from each sub-association: West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne, and Upper Corentyne.
The day’s programme was chaired by BCB Secretary Ryan Algu, while Vice President David Black formally welcomed the participants. Guyana Breweries Inc Regional Manager Albert Budhoo later urged the attentive youth cricketers to grasp the opportunity to learn as sportsmen in the era of technology.
Budhoo expressed pleasure at being associated with the historic one-day seminar. Noting that not all of the youths would go on to play for the West Indies, Budhoo urged them to put the knowledge into their daily lives. He pledged his company’s support for further developmental programmes in the future.

Participants were involved in 10 different lectures during the day’s seminar. Topics covered in the morning session were the history and legacy of Berbice cricket, the importance of education for the modern sportsman, personal and team discipline, and general sports etiquette and protocol.
After an hour’s break for lunch, topics covered were the fundamentals of public speaking and articulation, media relations and handling press scrutiny, navigating peer pressure and social challenges, professional and personal hygiene and anti-doping, and substance abuse awareness and prevention.
Presenters at the seminar included former BCB President Hilbert Foster, who took the youth cricketers on a trip down memory lane on the history of Berbice cricket. At the end of his lecture, 12 participants were able to win educational packages for answering questions on the history of Berbice cricket.
Other lecturers included educators Dr Narandat Hussain and Karl Vanier, senior Police Officer Michael Newland, pastor Alwin Alladen, veteran media officer Christopher Holder, Region Six Sports Officer Randy Mangru, and youth advocate Mohamed Ali-Khan. Organisers of the seminar were pleasantly surprised at the intense interactions by the participants during the all-day seminar.
Ameri Hughes of West Berbice and the West Indies Under-19 female player Danielle Manns was declared the top student, with Berbice player Luke Amsterdam as the runner-up. They all received a financial prize along with special gifts from the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.
BCB Secretary Ryan Algu at the closing ceremony urged the participants to take their newfound knowledge to better themselves and to assist other youths in their respective clubs. He also expressed gratitude to Guyana Breweries Inc for their sponsorship and expressed the hope for further programmes in the future.
The BCB also announced that its annual cricket academies would be held in August 2026 in the four sub-associations, while the Board will also be publishing its second coaching manual for youths shortly.