“Berbice cricket, in just a short span of eight months, is on the move again and this is because total strangers like you came on board and offered support to us when we needed it most. Your $1 million donation to the Berbice Cricket Board allowed us the opportunity to host several programmes that have assisted Berbice cricket to rise from the ashes. We will forever be indebted to you for your kindness and as such, it is our greatest honour to present our highest award to you.”
Angela Haniff and Albert Smith honour Brian Ramphal with the BCB Tribute to Hero Award
These were the words of dynamic Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster during a ceremony at the St Francis Community Developers as the BCB and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) honoured overseas-based Guyanese Brian Ramphal with their highest awards.
Ramphal, who lives in the United States of America and is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a major Itech Company, earlier in the year, donated $1 million to the BCB. The monies were used to fund two Coaches Seminars for 40 Pre-Level One Coaches, the Annual Award Ceremony, financial stipends for national players, educational posters for junior cricketers and the Double Wicket First Division Tournament. The BCB will also publish a Review Magazine later in the year using some of the funds. Foster was loud in praise of Ramphal, who, along with Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, is the largest financial donor to the BCB.
The Tribute to Hero Award is specially given to outstanding individuals, whose contributions to Berbice cricket have assisted the development of the game. Among those who have received the Award are Carl Moore, Mortimer George, Lennox Phillips, Ancel Hazel and Malcolm Peters. Foster, who is also the Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, MS, stated that the Club decided to honour Ramphal with its highest award, The Dolphin Award of Excellence, because the Club’s cricketers had benefited from Ramphal’s kindness and his remarkable achievements in the technology field. The Dolphin Award is the highest of the RHTY&SC’s 12 awards and would only be given to an elite cadre of 50 Guyanese, who are regarded as positive role models and inspiration to youths. Other awardees include President David Granger, Roger Harper, Jennifer Cipriani, Larry Wills and Rajendra Ganga.
Ramphal, in response, expressed gratitude to both the BCB and the RHTY&SC for conferring their highest awards on him. He stated that he selected Berbice cricket to support because he knew of its legendary history and he was very impressed with its leadership. He was very confident that his $1 million was well spent and accounted for, and looked forward to a long-term relationship with the county.
The Board presented Ramphal with a plaque, medal, trophy, certificate of appreciation and a special gift.
