Watched by other executives of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), Managing-director of the Guyana Beverages Company, Robert Selman (second left), hands over one of the jerseys and the sponsorship cheque to president of the ECB, Asif Ahmad.

THE seventh annual Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB)/Guyana Beverages Company (GBC)-sponsored Busta cricket festival was launched at a simple ceremony held in the boardroom of the sponsor, to the tune of $2.2M.

Prior to the handing over of the sponsorship cheque and jerseys for this year’s tournament, president of the ECB Asif Ahmad likened the relationship between his board and the sponsors to that of a family.

“We have come a long way, thanks to the GBC and its Busta brand of products. Through this sponsorship, the ECB has become a part of the Busta Company and we are very grateful to them for coming on board with us one more year.”

“As of last year where six matches were played, 15 will be played in this year’s tournament on a round-robin basis inclusive of the semi-finals and final and we at the ECB have taken great time and effort in organising this competition, which is a premier one, wherein our senior players will be on show for eligibility for a place on the county team to contest the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) inter-county tournament,” said Ahmad.

He stated that cricket is their business and that’s what the ECB intends to see done and thanks to the GBC, they are able to do so, hence heartfelt ‘thank you’ was extended to the GBC by the executives of the ECB.

Managing director of the GBC, Robert Selman, expressed his company’s pleasure in being associated with the ECB in this year’s tournament.

“I am very proud to see that having discussed certain cricket development ideas with the ECB, such action is being taken and it is with that in mind, the GBC has no hesitation in partnering with the board for one more year on this venture.”

He continued, “At the GBC, we gave back most of our money to sports in the country with our sponsorship of tournaments in areas such as Georgetown, Bartica, Essequibo, Berbice and even Wakenaam and we are looking at the possibility of sponsoring tournaments in Lethem. Having said that, I would like to congratulate the ECB on the work they have been doing over the years, and at the same time notify them that next year’s sponsorship would be bigger and better.”

Eight area teams attached to the ECB will be contesting this year’s tournament which is set to commence on Saturday running for a period of four weeks with the final on September 20.

Bartica are the defending champions but they can expect sturdy competition from two-time champions Central and South Essequibo, along with Wakenaam, Bartica and North Essequibo.