BCB strikes $500K sponsorship deal with Trophy Stall

“Over the last two years, we have done the impossible in Berbice Cricket. From taking over a board with almost no funds, no developmental programme, no proper tournament being played, and morale at the lowest level, we have witnessed the transformation of Berbice Cricket to one of its highest levels ever.

“We have raised close to $30M in cash and kind in sponsorship, organised over 60 tournaments at all levels, hosted dozens of developmental programmes, and returned morale to the cricketing network.
“Our success has been based on a simple formula of sheer hard work, forward and visionary planning, (and) a policy to make everyone feel part of the system.
“Your support via this historic sponsorship package would assist us to take our cricket to an unmatched level. Thank you for being a real friend of Berbice Cricket.”
those were the words of BCB President Hilbert Foster at a special launching of a $500,000 sponsorship deal with Managing Director of the Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich.
Under this historic sponsorship deal, Trophy Stall would provide trophies for twenty different tournaments during 2020. The trophies would be for the man-of-the-finals, runner-up team, and winner.
Foster disclosed that, over the last two years, the BCB have used over $600,000 on trophies, and this large amount of funds could have been used for developmental youth programmes. With Sunich’s assistance, the BCB would, in 2020, have more funding for their countywide coaching programme and for preparation of inter-county teams.
As BCB boss, Foster has said the board is looking at avenues to cut back on administrative costs, and areas such as meals and refreshments for finals, internet, transportation and stationery have been targeted. Sponsorship for these areas is currently being sought, so that more funding can be placed into developmental programmes.
Since the election of Keith Foster in 2008, the BCB have not received a single cent from the Guyana Cricket Board for subventions, and have had to raise all of their funding. But despite this setback, Foster has said, the BCB have gone on to become the most vibrant board in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, Sunich handed over $400,000 worth of cricket balls to the BCB on behalf of a medical doctor who is an overseas-based Berbician. The balls would be shared out to clubs participating in the ongoing BCB Under-15 tournament and to members of the board.
Foster has made it quite clear that only clubs which have junior teams would receive assistance from the BCB and his club, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, in 2020.
Two boxes of balls would be given to each of 14 clubs that have junior teams, while the member clubs of the BCB that do not have a junior selection committee would each receive one box of balls.
Foster expressed gratitude to Sunich for his support, and explained that under the sponsorship, all Berbice junior inter county teams would be named after the Trophy Stall, while the business entity would be promoted at all BCB matches.
Sunich, in brief remarks, congratulated the BCB on their works, and said he was delighted to support the development of Berbice Cricket. Trophy Stall, the popular businessman noted, is fully committed to the development of sports, as it is a safe avenue for youths to stay away from social ills, such as drugs and crime.