BCB, BCCDA assist a number of organisations from proceeds of T20 Independence Cup

Aug 28, 2013 Sports

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) recently held a special ceremony on the Republic Bank Tennis Court in New Amsterdam to present awards to individuals, organisations and clubs in the Berbice area. The awards came from funds from the proceeds from the Independence Cup T20 cricket competition which was held in May.
Speaking at the simple ceremony, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the BCCDA, Imran
Imran Sacoor, stated the BCCDA is moving into a different direction. He stated that the organisation is no longer sitting back and just looking after business interest. They are prepared to go out and doing things differently, thus the collaborative effort between the two organisations.

Recipients and members of the BCB and the BCCDA take a photo after the presentation.

Sacoor gave a back ground of the tournament and promised bigger things next year.
Coordinator Anil Beharry in giving a brief background, congratulating all the teams for participating and thanked all the companies that came on board with sponsorship. He also had special words of commendation for the media fraternity in Guyana for their assistance.
Secretary of the BCB Angela Haniff spoke on behalf of the organisation and express their delight in being a part of the activity, which not only provides entertainment, but brings people together. She mentioned that the BCB is always willing to use its expertise and resources in plausible ventures and is looking forward to playing their part in the activity next year. She used the opportunity to call on cricket clubs and organisations to come forward and support the venture more next year so that more persons can benefit. Haniff said, last year, all the first division clubs in Berbice were presented with first-aid kits coming out of the proceeds of the Independence Cup.
President of BCCDA Mark Roopnarine in brief remarks – stated that his organisation is fully behind the venture and during his tenure more such activities will be pursued. He mentioned the changing times and the need to be diverse. Roopnarine also weighed in on the moulding power of cricket and the success of the T20 cricket across the world and the benefits that can be derived from the game. He also took time to recognize the sponsors who came forth and supported the tournament. He said the effort of the sponsors goes back to the community to assist with further development.
Those benefitting from the joint gesture are top cricket clubs –Albion Community Centre and the Bermine Cricket Club, who received $100,000 each. The money to the two clubs will go towards their all-round development.
Treasurer Beharry stated that every year two clubs are selected to receive assistance. Last year the clubs that benefitted were the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Clubs (RHTY&SC).
The organisations also presented $30,000 each to the Anker Ville and Bohemia Primary Schools. The money will be used to construct sheds at the two schools.
The Albion Community Centre gets an additional $100,000 which represents $50,000 from last year and $50,000 from this year.
Sacoor stated that the assistance to Albion is for their generosity in allowing the organisers the use of the Albion Community Centre free of charge for the two years. The money was not collected last year, so they will collect $100,000 this year.
Three orphanages namely the Canaan Home, Alpha Children Home and Children of Promise homes were also presented with cheques for $20,000 each.
A sum of $20,000 was given to a parent to assist financially with her son’s expenses to travel to Pakistan for Kidney replacement surgery. Beharry also suggested that a special fund be set up next year for similar emergency projects.
Minus the expenses and the donations, the Independence Cup saw a profit of $1,382,321. This was divided into two with the BCBC and the BCCDA each received checks for $506,160.50. (Samuel Whyte)