Newly elected president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Anil Beharry has identified urgent dialogue with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), the return of three-day first division cricket and the construction of a new board office as some of the important matters to be addressed heading into 2015.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sports yesterday, the 44-year-old Beharry, who defeated Port Mourant Cricket Club’s Vic Seubarran by six votes during the BCB’s election last Sunday, outlined the numerous areas which he plans to target for the further development of cricket in Berbice in the new year.
Beharry indicated that the first manner of business is to elect his executive body which he confirmed will be done on Sunday while seeking an audience with the GCB to assess the position of the subvention which the Ancient County board has not been receiving.
He said other issues will be tackled before or after next month’s election stating… “The sooner the better.
“One of the major things we will first address is the subvention, not receiving it over the years has not limited our programmes but we wanted to do more and if we can acquire it that would be better for us. Apart from that were just aiming to bring peace and harmony into the game while our first step is a meeting on Sunday to appoint executive members.”
Speaking about some of the challenges the BCB encountered during 2014, the former Bermine player highlighted the lack of financial assistance along with the weather as issues which placed them on the back foot.
However, despite these setbacks, the BCB was able to meet their required mandates with regards to running off their various tournaments and preparing teams for Inter-County engagements said Beharry.
Apart from the aforementioned plans, Beharry cited areas such as the improvement in the relationships between cricket clubs, discipline among players, the recruitment of umpires in Berbice, professionalism in the conducting of business within the board and a possible outreach programme which targets the reintroduction of Under-15/17 and if possible U13 cricket in schools as important tasks for the BCB in 2015.
Speaking about winning the presidency the chairman of the Albion Lights Committee and a holder of numerous past and present posts such as; PRO of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Berbice Regional Health Authority, Councilor of the Regional Democratic Council for Region #6 heading the Youth and Sports Committees, said it was an overall good feeling to win the elections.
“Naturally I felt happy to be president but getting to run the cricket in an accountable, transparent manner without any hatred, resentment, and court actions is my current aim. Cricket should unite us and I want that to reflect in Berbice and also in Guyana cricket. We are willing to speak to GCB as early as possible while any electoral procedure which is properly conducted in a transparent, legitimate matter we will support and work with,” he explained.
He lauded the stakeholders of cricket which included the players, clubs, sponsors, along with government and non-government entities who encouraged him to run for the presidency as well as those who congratulated him after the win. Beharry also confirmed that new sponsors and even those who have been supportive of the BCB over the years have signalled their intentions to support the board during 2015 calendar of activities.
Beharry, who has been involved with cricket in Berbice since his days as a junior and senior player, has been an executive of the BCB for the past 15 years.
He was the first vice-president under immediate past president Keith Foster.
The married father of three was also assistant treasurer of the BCB for four years before the board entered the controversial period.
He has been involved in the banking sector for some 28 years, serving as a manager since 1997 and now serves as senior manager.
