Inter Zone tournaments launched by BCB

Jul 03, 2010 Sports

BCB President Keith Foster collects the cheque from Republic Bank’s Imran Sacoor.

Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd. U-17 & Poonai’s Pharmacy U-13

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) launched the 2nd Annual Poonai’s Pharmacy Under-13 and Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd. Under-17 Inter Zone tournaments on Wednesday last.
The launching of the two tournaments completed the busiest cricket season ever for junior cricketers in Berbice to go along with the Tenelec Under-15 inter-club, NCN Under-15 inter-zone, Leslie Amsterdam Memorial Under-17 inter-club, Ricks & Sari inter-club Under-13, Spready’s Bakery Under-19 inter-club and Diamond Fire & General Insurance Under-19 inter-zone tournaments.
BCB Special Events Committee Chairman Hilbert Foster at the launching said that the Board is placing immense emphasis on youth cricket since it sets the foundation for solid future for the next two decades.
The cricket tournaments along with the Annual Cricket Academy, Coaching Clinics, Elite Coaching Programme, Seminars and DVD Coaching DVD would ensure that the County produces high quality players who would be proper Sports Ambassadors not only for Berbice but by extension Guyana and the West Indies.
Foster disclosed that the Poonai’s Pharmacy Under-13 tournament would attract four teams and played on a knockout basis using the one-day two innings format.
West Berbice faces New Amsterdam/Canje in the first round at the Rose Hall Canje Welfare Centre Ground while Lower Corentyne comes up against Upper Corentyne at the Port Mourant Ground.
The final is set for the Area ‘H’ Ground while the 3rd place match will be played at Albion.
Players for the various teams would be selected by the Board’s Junior Selection Committee based on performances in the upcoming Ricks & Sari Under-13 inter-club tournament.
It was disclosed that the three automatic teams for the Republic Bank sponsored Under-17 tournament are West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje and Lower Corentyne. Central Corentyne would oppose Upper Corentyne to determine which would be the fourth team.
New Amsterdam/Canje and West Berbice would play at the Blairmont Community Centre Ground while the fourth team would clash with Lower Corentyne at Albion Community Centre Ground.
Selection of players for the respective teams will be based on performances in the Leslie Amsterdam Memorial inter-club competition.

Mr. Carl Moore receives the cheque from a representative of Poonai’s Pharmacy in the presence of other officials

The top performers will receive educational materials as part of their prizes. This tournament would be played over two days with each team batting a maximum of 60 overs in their first innings.
Board Treasurer Anil Beharry highlighted that both tournaments were vital to the development of the game.
“The Under-13 Team will serve as a nursery for the U-15 team and assist to identify players for coaching under the elite programme. The U-17 competition would serve as a bridge between the U-15’s and 19’s serving as the basis for selection to the U-19 Inter County team.”
The Board he said was confident that its investment in young cricketers is the correct one, as they strive to play a major role in the restoration of West Indies Cricket.
President Keith Foster thanked the sponsors for the confidence displayed in the entity while assuring the respective representatives that the tournaments would be well organised.
Managing Director of the Poonai’s Pharmacy, Poonai Bhiroog in brief remarks said he was delighted to be associated with Berbice cricket and is impressed with its development. “I am quite satisfied with progress seen in the first tournament and pledge our continued involvement in youth development.”
Representing Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd. was Imran Sacoor who stated that youth development was very special to the Bank and that was the reason why each year they invests heavily in sports, culture and education.
Sacoor, who is the Branch Manager of the New Amsterdam Bank hailed the progress of cricket in the Ancient County, expressing the hope that it would continue in the future.