… Minister Anthony laud organisers for being consistent

THE 4th Annual Guyana Softball Cup was officially launched yesterday at the historic Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) ground, and the organisers, the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) announced that this year, the event will see record prize money and incentives up for grabs. Opening October 31, along with matches on November 1 and 2, the Guyana Softball Cup will see seven teams come from the New York area, three from the State of Florida and two from Canada, all heading to Guyana in an attempt to cart off the $1M open prize and $800 000 Masters award.
Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), Ansa McAl Trading under its Stag Beer brand, Rohan Auto Spares, Survival Supermarket, AR Jiwanram, Steve’s Jewellery, Busta Soft Drink and Trophy Stall are listed as the sponsors of the tournament that fetches a budget of $10M.
Matches are scheduled to be played at the Police Ground at Eve Leary, Everest Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, GCC, Gandhi Youth Organisation, Enmore and Enterprise Community Centres.
“We want to make this year the biggest of all,” said president of the GFSCA Ramchand Ragbeer while addressing the audience of sponsors and other officials of the game at the GCC pavilion.
“On all three previous Guyana Softball Cup, we managed to clear all expenses and were in the positive. Guyana Softball Cup 4, we are hoping for the same which is very important for the tournament’s future. With the efforts of our hardworking and dedicated GFSCA members this tournament will be successful again and it is here to stay.” Ragbeer said.
Ragbeer also pointed out that from the proceeds of the tournament held for the past three years, the GFSCA were able to install lights at the DCC ground, noting, “Members had to also dig deep into their pockets to get it completed. It is 90% done and before the start of the Guyana Softball Cup 4, it will be finished.”
Defending Open Champions Trophy Stall and Masters Champions, New York Better Hope Softball Club, will be aiming to replicate their 2013 performance since it was also pointed out that one of the tournament’s sponsors, Steve Jewellery, will be giving away two gold and diamond encrusted cricket bands to the players adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) from each category.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony lauded the GFSCA for their consistency in development while stating that the Guyana Softball Cup adds to the country’s calendar of events and is one which unites families and friends from overseas.
The 24-team tournament, by virtue of having overseas participation, adds to the country’s tourism industry, since the players who travel to Guyana oftentimes do so with their friends and families.
Minister Anthony said that like many Caribbean countries, cricket is considered the number one sport in Guyana and most of the elite players who rise to glory in the sport, used softball cricket as their genesis.
“Cricket is very important to us in Guyana and most people I know and even those stars had an introduction to the sport through softball. I know many can recall getting into trouble by hitting a ball into someone’s yard or window,” said Minister Anthony.
The Sport Minister added “I’m glad and very impressed at how we were able to take something that we grew up playing on the streets, and turn it into a national event and I look forward to the start of the competition.”
Meanwhile, several sponsors present at yesterday’s launch, said that they were all happy to once again be on board while acknowledging their readiness to keep supporting the event.