Hilbert Foster will continue to lead the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) for another two years after his entire slate was elected unopposed yesterday at Port Mourant Community Centre, Corentyne.
Of the 38 expected delegates, 34 were present from the 12 clubs and three sub-associations.
The elections were held under the supervision of returning officer, Colin Bynoe and in the presence of Cricket Ombudsman and former BCB President, Malcolm Peters.
Bynoe stated from the get-go that he wanted things to flow in a professional manner and began proceedings with the roll call.
Foster, who has been at the helm of the BCB since 2018, was nominated by Upper Corentyne’s Dennis D’Anrade and seconded by Karran Ramsammy of Whim. With no other nominations, West Berbice’s Carol Nurse asked for nominations to be closed and was seconded by Guymine’s Albert Smith.
Despite no other nominations, it was agreed that delegates still had to vote with all 34 voters showing support for Foster.
Smith and Qualis Winter were nominated for the positions of Vice-Presidents with Smith taking up the portfolio of Administration while Winter will be in charge of Cricket Development.
Immediate past treasurer, Dr. Cecil Beharry, was named a Vice-President (Finance). Angela Haniff was re-elected Secretary while Ameer Rahaman also got the green light to serve for another two years in the capacity of Assistant Secretary.
Former Assistant Treasurer, Rovin Bahadur, was elected Treasurer and Neil Rudder, Assistant Treasurer.
Foster thanked the clubs and associations for their continued support and immediately suggested the setting up of a Go Fund Me page to raise monies to develop Berbice cricket.
“One of the things I want to do so that we can raise funds to assist clubs, if we can give all board member clubs $100,000 a year, apart from the first-division teams, that would be delightful but to do that, could we have your blessings for the BCB to establish a Go Fund Me page because there are many persons who want to assist the BCB,” he said. “A Go Fund Me page would attract support from across the world,” Foster declared.
The BCB boss urged the executives to work harder in order to further improve the game in the ancient county.
According to the President, there will be a Special General Meeting in January but they will soon be meeting to name the selection and competitions committee.
He indicated that this could be his final term in office as it would be his third term in office and pledged to deliver on all his plans including 20 tournaments in 2022.
Meanwhile, in his delivery, Peters noted that no constitutionally elected club should be left behind.
“In compliance with the Cricket Administration Act no. 14 of 2014, it is the Ombudsman’s duty to verify member clubs and associations that are registered with the respective county boards. It is important that the Berbice Cricket Board pay careful attention to the structure and policy to which its members manage their businesses. It is important therefore that all clubs within the Berbice area be registered with the Berbice Cricket Board, therefore no properly constituted club should be left behind,” he said.
