…month-long celebrations planned; Special Mortimer George book to be launched
Founded by a group of Berbicians on September 20, 1939 to administer cricket in the Ancient County, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would, this year September, be celebrating its 80th anniversary; and that entire month has been dedicated by the BCB to observing this historic occasion with a range of activities.
BCB President, Hilbert Foster
This current board of BCB Executives, under the astute leadership of its President, Hilbert Foster, is in the process of identifying and organising the activities that would constitute this month-long period of celebration.
Hilbert Foster had spearheaded the BCB’s 70th and 75th anniversary celebrations respectively in 2009 and 2014, and is again heading the Organising Committee that would so do in 2019. Included in this Committee are BCB Administrator Angela Haniff, Assistant Secretary Ameer Rahaman, Treasurer Dr. Cecil Beharry, and Executive Member Winston Smith.
Foster has disclosed that the Organising Committee is working to make this 80th anniversary celebration a grand occasion. He has also disclosed the following:
The month-long celebration would be held under the theme, “Reflecting on a rich legacy – 80 not out”. The BCB, he said, has, over the 80 years of its existence, produced 19 Test cricketers for the West Indies, including one female; while hundreds have gone on to play for Guyana and the West Indies at the Under-15, Under-19, Female and ‘A’ levels.
The 19 Test players alluded to are: John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Ivan Madray, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Leonard Baichan, Clayton Lambert, Sew Shivnarine, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Brandon Bess, Veerasammy Permaul, Devandra Bishoo, Shimron Hetmyer and Candacy Atkins.
Other Berbicians, like Milton Pydana, Royston Crandon, Esuan Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings, Subrina Munroe, Derick Kallicharran, Andre Percival, Leslaine Lambert, Sudesh Dhaniram, Deonarine Persaud, Gajanand Singh, Richard Ramdeen, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Jonathan Foo, Gudakesh Motie and Anthony Bramble, among others, have represented the Caribbean at different levels.
The BCB also holds the record for hosting the first-ever One-Day International match to have been played in the West Indies — in 1977.
The month-long celebration would include a religious service involving all three major religions in Guyana. Television programmes, educational competitions, youth-coaching programmes, donations to clubs and junior cricketers, distribution of food hampers to families living under less fortunate circumstances, honouring of retired cricketers, ‘Tribute to a Hero’ programme, and launching of the BCB’s first- ever Youth Information Booklet are among other activities planned.
The educational competition, to be organised by Asst Secretary Ameer Rahaman, would constitute an essay competition for secondary schools, spelling bee competition for primary schools, and an art (drawing) competition for nursery schools.
The highlight of the 80th Anniversary celebration activities would be a massive restoration project for the BCB Office as it strives to improve its services to the general public.
A special 256-page book on the History of Berbice Cricket, written by former BCB Secretary Mortimer George, would also be launched, and would be sold for $2500. per copy. BCB employee Ruthel Henry would benefit from a donation made from proceeds of the sale of the book towards construction of her home.
The BCB would also be unveiling updated versions of its Under-19 and Senior Berbice All-Time teams.
Former Berbice player and Journalist, Sean Devers, is also spearheading a programme that would name the Berbice ‘Greatest Player’ at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Female, ODI, Test and 20/20 levels.
The greatest cricketer to have been produced by Berbice, Rohan Kanhai, would also be honoured during these celebrations. Among the other officials and players who would be honoured are: Deonarine Persaud, Clayton Lambert, Leslaine Lambert, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Sudesh Dhaniram, Orvin Mangru, Carl Moore, Keith Foster, Manohar Pooran, Andre Percival, Anil Beharry and Angela Haniff.
Clubs across Berbice are also each encouraged to make a positive difference in the life of a less fortunate family, and to send to the Berbice Cricket Board photos along with a brief report in this regard. The winner of this programme would receive a special prize from the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, and the BCB.
