Anil Beharry has been elected President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), after whipping President of the Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC), Vicram Suebarran, 22 votes to 16 during the board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday.
Certainly it was no surprise for the top post, as election observers had pegged Beharry as the clear favourite to win.
Meanwhile, umpire Dhieranidranauth Somwaru defeated Vemen Walter for first Vice President; Qualis Winter defeated Vemen Walter and David Black for second Vice President; Vemen Walter was elected third Vice President – unopposed; Angela Haniff was elected Secretary –unopposed; Vicky Bharosay was elected Treasurer –unopposed; Plaffiana Millington was elected Assistant Secretary – unopposed and Ricardo Bachan was elected Assistant Treasurer –unopposed.
“It was a long process, and I want to thank those who have shown the faith and trust in me,†Beharry said after the election. “As I take over the reins of the BCB, I want to assure all that I will execute the job at hand with the best of my ability so that the goals set out will be accomplished,†Beharry said.
It is the belief that Berbice cricket will benefit from Beharry’s talent, passion and considerable experience as an administrator of the game.
He outlined three important aspects he would love to see accomplished under his stewardship.
He pointed out that school cricket at the Under-15 and-17 levels is top priority. “One of my main aims is to have a robust schools system in place which produces players who are equipped for elite level at a younger age,†Beharry outlined.
He is of the opinion that strengthening cricket at the school level will ultimately sustain the sport in the county and in the future.
Another aspect, Beharry identified, as an important spoke in the wheel of improving Berbice’s cricket was the return of three-day cricket.
Further, Beharry pointed out that the relationship between clubs in Berbice is also at the top of his agenda.
“I want to try and bridge that gap: clubs in Berbice need to work together,†he said.
Beharry thanked outgoing President Keith Foster for his services to Berbice cricket during his tenure.
“He is to me a hero, and I am proud of the way he presided over the BCB during a difficult time,†Beharry said of Foster.
Foster was not qualified to seek re-election since his two-year three-term period expires at the end of the year.
The three associations: West Berbice, Berbice River and Upper Corentyne, while the 14 clubs affiliated with the BCB: Kidonan, Whim, Port Mourant, Albion, Chesney, Rose Hall Community Centre, Young Warriors, Bermine, Police, Mental, Mount Sinai, and Blairmont clubs as well as Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club, were involved in the voting process.
According to the BCB’s constitution, the three associations are entitled to four votes each, while the 14 clubs affiliated with the BCB are entitled to two votes each.
