Following 32-nil vote: BCB presidents can now serve 5 consecutive two-year terms

…UCCA benefits from donation of $340K worth of pitch covers, Chesney from BCB generosity

Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) presidents can now serve five consecutive two-years terms after BCB member clubs passed this motion by 32-0 during a special meeting on Sunday last at the Port Mourant Cricket Club ground.

BCB President Hilbert Foster handing over the covers to UCCA Treasurer Victor Thakurdeen in presence of UCCA and BCB officials

Under the presidency of Keith Foster, the BCB had passed a motion to limit the Presidency to three two-year terms, but this change was approved by representatives of 10 member clubs and three sub-associations.
Five clubs had submitted to BCB Secretary Angela Haniff a motion seeking a special meeting to amend the BCB’s Constitution, as they felt that county cricket needs continuity of strong and productive leadership.
Representatives of those clubs noted that when the current Hilbert Foster leadership took over, Berbice Cricket was on the verge of collapse, and they are now very satisfied with the unmatched development and progress it has made over the last four years.
Current President Hilbert Foster, who enjoys widespread support among clubs in the county, is one month into his third two-year term which ends in December, 2023, and could seek an additional two terms if he so desires.
Hilbert Foster recused himself from chairing the meeting when the motion was being considered, and Vice President of Administration, Albert Smith, guided the motion and conducted the vote.
The cricket clubs which submitted the motion were Mt Sinai, Guymine, Rose Hall, Canje Community Centre, Chesney, and Kildonan.
These five clubs received support of the following associations: West Berbice, Upper Corentyne, Berbice River, Whim Cricket Club, Port Mourant Cricket Club, Police SC, Mental Hospital and RHTY&SC. Two clubs were absent, while illness forced representatives of another to leave the meeting before the vote.
With the motion needing a minimum of 26 votes to surpass the two-thirds majority, it resonated favourably with all 32 voters present.
Members also approved the audited financial report of the BCB. The report, covering the period November 2019 to 31st October 2020, was adopted 32-0, with members hailing the board for its track record of providing audited reports with a clean bill of health since taking office in 2018. The financial report for the period up to October 2021 would shortly be submitted for approval by members.
The BCB also took the opportunity to hand over pitch covers worth $340 thousand dollars to the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association for the benefit of clubs in that area. In handing over the covers to representatives of the UCCA, Foster made it quite clear that the covers are to be used for BCB and UCCA tournaments, especially semifinals and finals.
He urged that association to take proper care of the covers, and noted that the covers were the third of their kind to be obtained by the proactive board. The other two are being kept at the Albion Ground on the Corentyne and at the Cotton Tree Ground in West Berbice.
The BCB has also paid for another two covers, which would be collected shortly, bringing the total to five covers across the county – an investment of close to $1.7M.
Foster has expressed gratitude to Minister Susan Rodrigues and management of Vitality Inc for their investment in Berbice cricket.
The BCB has also handed over funds to the Chesney Cricket Club after the club had sought sponsorship to purchase two 30-foot by 40-foot tarpaulins to be used to cover pitches in the event of rain. Funds have also been approved to assist the Whim, Kildonan and Port Mourant Cricket Clubs and the Berbice Cricket Association with tarpaulins, as it takes great effort to stop matches being affected by the weather.
Further, delegates have authorised BCB executives to consider an application from the Tucber Park Cricket Club for full membership of the BCB. The executives would set up a five-man committee to look into the request before taking it back to the full membership for final approval.
The BCB has also updated its membership on a wide range of developments, including the upcoming visit of Sir Curtly Ambrose, the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh countywide coaching programme, gears for youths, 2022 Awards Ceremony and preparation of inter-county teams.