Foster urges cricketers to always strive for excellence

Cricket development and investment in youths continue at a very high rate in the ancient county of Berbice, with the hosting of three cricket academies at Albion, Tucber Park and Blairmont Cricket Grounds. Seventy of Berbice top junior and female cricketers are attending the 2nd annual Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy, organised by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) at the historic Albion Community Centre Ground; while the Tucber Park Cricket Club and Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club are also hosting cricket camps for their members at their respective grounds.

The BCB camp started on Tuesday, August 13, and will conclude on Saturday, August 18, 2019. A panel of coaches and administrators— including Cricket West Indies Level Three Coaches Winston Smith, Delbert Hicks, Balram Samaroo, Leslie Solomon and Ameer Rahaman— are working with the youths, while BCB Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu is the Director of the camp.
Naidu noted that the BCB, with the support from Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, is investing into the development of the young cricketers, who are all available to represent Berbice next year. The main objectives are to correct technical problems, educate the youths on the history, tradition and rules of the game, and to inform them on their roles as role models/sport ambassadors.
BCB President Hilbert Foster visited the Academy twice during the opening day and urged the youths to take advantage of the numerous opportunities being given to them by the most vibrant Cricket Board in Guyana. The BCB, he stated, would continue to invest heavily into the development of every youth as it strives to make sure that the rich legacy of Kanhai, Butcher, Trim and Solomon is upholding.
As he has done throughout the last nineteen months since his election, Foster spoke broadly on the importance of education, personal discipline, team unity, faith in God, and the need to choose friends carefully. The energetic President who has spearheaded an overhaul of Berbice Cricket was also involved in a ninety-minute classroom session with the youths. Topics covered included history of Berbice cricket, peer pressure and basic public manners.
Head Coach Winston Smith stated that special emphasis would be placed on improving the standard of batting, wicket keeping and fielding, while the coaches would also work closely with young fast bowlers and spinners. All of the players at the end of the Academy should also be better prepared to take control of their personal fitness.
Earlier in the day, the BCB President also declared open the first ever Cricket Academy of the New Amsterdam-based Tucber Park Cricket Club. The Academy, at the launching, attracted about 35 young cricketers and among the Coaches attached to the camp are Anthony D’Andrade and Tremayne Smartt.
Foster congratulated the Club for investing in membership and pledged his assistance. He urged the youths to put into practice what they have learnt and to do a lot of research on the history of the game. The BCB President handed over a quantity of items to assist the Club to host the Academy.
The donation included cricket balls, school bags, cases of drinks, trophies, educational materials, exercise books, educational posters, youth information booklets, and special prizes for the top three players. The President spoke to the youths and made a donation to the Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club.