GCA president Alfred Mentore (centre) receives trophy from sponsors Bishwa Panday and Michael Cummings as interim Vice-Chancellor of UG Lawrence Carrington (next to Panday) and UG Registrar Vincent Alexander (extreme right) look on.

The competition, according to president of the GCA, Alfred Mentore, aims “to develop and form a marriage between cricket and education”. Further, he stated that if the university’s performance in the tournament is satisfactory then it can provide an opportunity for the institution to be elevated to the first division.

He explained: “Ultimately, through our relationship the capacity of this institution’s cricketing programme will be enhanced to compete with its regional counterparts. Incidentally, the university will be fielding a team to compete in this tournament and depending on their performances they can stake a claim to be elevated to our first division level.

“At the level of the GCA we have continually stressed to our young players the importance of having a good education. It is often said that education is the vehicle for success; this applies whether it’s academics or sports.”

On the other hand, Mentore was excited that in these financially turbulent times, the two companies have renewed their support to the GCA for the running of the competition. Mentore stated that the companies have provided $600 000 in sponsorship to the association.

Also speaking at the presentation was the University’s Registrar Vincent Alexander who stated that he was fortunate that now the institution can be involved in the competition with the assistance of the sponsors. He also stated that UG is happy to honour the mandate set out by the West Indies Cricket Board to incorporate cricket as a co-curricula activity in the university’s curriculum.

Alexander believes that “a new level of intellect is needed in cricket and therefore education can be used as a nexus for cricket, not only in Guyana but in the West Indies”. He stated that he is happy that the university is back in the fray for development of sport in Guyana and that it will continue to assist in any way possible.

Former president of the GCA and brother of the late Raymond Panday, Bishwa Panday, in his brief remarks, stated that he is pleased to continue the sponsorship of the tournament along with his friend Michael Cummings.

“As you may recall this competition was played in 2007 and we are continuing with it this year. We are happy because we feel the two-day second division cricket is very important, as it provides the opportunity for cricketers to stake claim to play first division and it also provides the opportunity for them to build innings and spend time in the middle,” Panday explained.

He commended the GCA for having the foresight to ensure that two-day cricket is being played at both first and second divisions. He also suggested that while he is not involved in cricket as an administrator, he will continue to be a supporter of cricket and therefore he will continue to assist in the development of the “great game”.

Michael Cummings also echoed that he is a lover of the game and he hopes that the cricketers play with the discipline and seriousness that the game requires. He expressed that he intends to see very high level games being played in the competition.