DDL on board for largest domino tourney ever
DEMERARA Distillers Limited (DDL) through their Ivanoff Vodka brand of rum, has joined forces with the Guyana National Domino Federation (GNDF) to sponsor a nationwide dominoes tournament which is the largest of its kind and set to commence next Wednesday. At a brief presentation ceremony held in the High Street boardroom of the sponsors, president of the GNDF and Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Robert Williams expressed his Federation’s happiness at being associated with DDL.

Over $900,000 will be up for grabs in this tournament, with the winner walking away with $300,000 and a trophy, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will each receive $150,000, $125,000 and $75,000 and a trophy.

“The GNDF is extremely happy to be associated with DDL to promote this tournament which is the largest of its kind for the past three years, under the Ivanoff brand.

We at the GNDF feel this tournament will provide us with an opportunity to excel in the management of tournaments locally and at the same time provide an opportunity for citizens to interact with each other irrespective of race, creed and designation,” said Williams.

Williams said the tournament which is coming off the heels of the Banks DIH/Kazak Vodka sponsored nationwide tournament which attracted 207 teams, is expected to attract over 240 teams making it one of the largest dominoes tournament ever contested locally, with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) receiving $10,000.

“Based on what we saw in the last nationwide tournament, we are expecting over 240 teams to compete in this tournament which will be played in 24 zones, with nine teams per zone, therefore many domino players will get a chance to showcase their talent.”

DDL’s Wines and Spirits manager Maria Munroe said her company was pleased to be associated with the GNDF.

“We at DDL are very happy to be associated with the GNDF in this venture. We look forward to a good tournament as we have placed our confidence in the Federation and at the same time, close out the year on a high with Ivanoff Vodka.”

Each of the 24 zone winners who will be asked to converge at the National Gymnasium for the grand finale, will pocket $10,000 while teams who will receive one hamper from DDL upon the submission of their registration forms, are asked to pay an entrance fee of $6,000.

According to Williams, who, along with the GNDF’s senior organizing secretary Wendell Mc Pherson, Assistant Treasurer Fitzroy Dublin and organizing Secretary Reuben Cato were present at the launching yesterday, the GNDF plan to use DDL’s salesmen to promote the tournament.

“Certainly with DDL sponsoring this tournament, we have decided to utilize the services of their salesmen to promote this event further. This means that teams who are desirous of entering the tournament can uplift an application form from any DDL salesman or any GNDF official.

The tournament which will be contested on a knockout basis, is set to get underway next Wednesday with matches being contested in the Georgetown zone after the executives of the Federation meet to ratify certain formats of the tournament and conclude by the first week in December, with matches being played simultaneously,” stated Williams.

The 24 zones are divided as follows; Georgetown (7 zones), East Coast Demerara (4), West Demerara (3), Essequibo, East Berbice, East Bank and Bartica (2 each) and Linden and West Berbice (1 each).