AS preparations for the staging of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association’s (GFSCA) competition leg in Essequibo heats up, preparations are moving ahead smoothly.
This is according to coordinator of the Essequibo leg, Khalid Baksh, in an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport.
Baksh said he believes that like the previous competition when some 44 teams from Essequibo competed, there would be a very good response. “We have not been able to properly advertise this competition, thus the slow response; but it is important to note that the interest continues to pick up and a number of teams are contacting me every day,” he said.
The Essequibo coordinator recalled a competition held by his association earlier this year which he pointed out was well received.
He noted that while only 44 teams had competed there were several other teams that had an interest. “As the competition heats up you will see more and more teams coming forward trying to get in.
“Already on the first two days of the information being released some six to seven teams registered and there are a lot more teams out there,” he said.
Commenting on the competition, Baksh pointed out that $2 000 is required by all teams as entrance fee for the competition, which will be played over a fifteen-over-per-side. He pointed out that teams will only be allowed to use balls sanctioned by the GFSCA, noting that these balls are available.
Baksh, giving an insight into the rules, said that a player is allowed to bowl any amount of overs. He further said that while wrist and round hand bowling are permitted, chucking is not allowed to be used in the completion. “They can bowl any amount of overs by round or wrist hand but no chucking in the competition,” he said
In relation to the entrance fee, the Essequibo coordinator disclosed that the winner of this leg will pocket all the entrance fee monies paid. This, he stated will aid in ensuring that the team has enough cash to travel to Georgetown.
“The entire registration fees would go to the winner for Essequibo as this will be used for the team to travel to Georgetown for the national playoffs. However, the runners-up team for Essequibo will have to bear the travel expenses of their team to Georgetown by themselves,” Baksh stressed.
He added, “The more teams that register, means more monies the winner will get from Essequibo.” Baksh pointed out that while two teams will be representing Essequibo, a similar number will represent Berbice with four representing Demerara in the national playoffs. He stated that this is the third competition for the year that his organisation will be holding. He stressed that each year they run about three or four competitions.
“The Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association usually runs competition very often each year and in the past we used to permit the Guyana Softball League to run our competition but now the association is doing it by itself,” he stated.
He disclosed that among the host of sponsors are 4R Bearings, Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall, Ariel Enterprises, Motor Trend, Petama Enterprise and Survival Supermarket. Baksh stressed that the winner of the national final will receive $100 000 while the runners-up will pocket $50 000. He said that other prizes include $10 000 for the player-of-the-series while another $10 000 will go to the player-of-the-final. All these cash prizes will be accompanied by a trophy.
Baksh expressed the view that the two teams that will represent Essequibo will do the county well noting that despite Berbice and Demerara being considered as powerhouses in local cricket as it relates to softball he firmly believes that Essequibo sits on top.
He disclosed that while Affiance Storm and Die Hard brothers gave a good account of themselves the last time representing Essequibo he anticipates a better representation from whoever wins this time.
Affiance Storm had won the competition in Essequibo with Die Hard Brothers taking the runner-up spot when the competition was last staged in Essequibo.