BCB and Albion Cricket Club holds cordial discussion on the future of Berbice Cricket

Aug 25, 2020 Sports

– Butcher Fund donates clocks to Police ‘B’ Division

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff hands over donation to the ACCCC.

Presentation of clocks to the ‘B’ Division of the Guyana Police Force.

Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster on Thursday last led a seven-member delegation to visit the Albion Sports Complex on an invitation by the President and Executives of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC). The Albion Club had requested the meeting despite the pandemic crisis to discuss Berbice Cricket development and seek answers to several concerns of theirs.
The President, as part of his meet the clubs programme, readily agreed to the meeting within seventy-two hours. Since his election to the Presidency, the BCB leader has visited the majority of clubs in the county to listen to their concerns and recommendations.
The BCB President was accompanied by Secretary Angela Haniff, Treasurer Dr. Cecil Beharry, Asst Secretary Ameer Rahaman, Asst Treasurer Rovin Bahadur, Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu and Executive Member Mr. Edwards.
The Albion President Mr. Vemen Walters thanked the BCB for agreeing to the meeting and congratulated the executives on the great job they are doing on and off the cricket field. Among the topics that were discussed were immediate plans for Berbice Cricket, developmental programmes, relationship with the Guyana Cricket Board, the ongoing BCB/RHTYSC programmes, functioning of BCB sub committees and representation of players at that national level.
Walters expressed some concern at the BCB involvement in several legal matters and stated that Berbice needs proper representations on the GCB as decisions were taken about Guyana Cricket without any input from the county. Foster explained that the legal actions were about restoring democracy to Guyana’s Cricket and making sure that cricket development is for all Guyanese and not a selected few.
He committed to having an Albion executive in the BCB official delegation whenever it meets with Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jnr. The President committed himself to work along with the Government of Guyana to develop the game and to work hard to return regional and international cricket to the Albion Ground, where the first ODI in the Caribbean was played in 1977 versus Pakistan.
Foster admitted that it was unlikely that any cricket would be played for the rest of the year but stated that efforts would be made to conduct developmental programmes off the cricket field. The BCB delegation also provided answers to the ACCC on the Basil Butcher Trust Fund, Covid-19 response project, sponsorship after the COVID-19 pandemic and the work of the board’s four sub committees. Foster disclosed that the BCB was trying to establish a working relationship with some regional cricket boards in its ongoing development effort and arrangements are being put into place for coaching of youths using the internet.
He also disclosed that numerous changes would have to be made in Berbice Cricket, including the reduction of cash prizes for finals and the attendance of spectators at matches. Both delegations agreed to meet in the future and Walters pledged Albion’s support towards the development of the game. The BCB delegation also handed over a donation of stationery, clocks, cleaning detergent and a warm up football to the ACCCC.
Meanwhile, the joint BCB/RHTYSC Basil Butcher Trust Fund on Wednesday last handed over twenty clocks to the Management of the Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division. Public Relations Officer of the BCB and RHTYSC Vice President Mark Papannah handed over the donation to ‘B’ Division Traffic Chief Mr. Williams.
Under the Fund, a total of $250,000 worth of clocks would be shared out to public institutions across Berbice including schools, churches, fire stations and post offices.