THE second annual Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T)/Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS)/Guyana Softball League (GSL) 10/10 nationwide softball competition bowled off yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club ground, where over $10M in cash and prizes will be up for grabs. The 10-overs-a-side knock-out competition attracted 1 224 teams of which 209 are females in comparison to last year’s inaugural tournament which saw 584 male teams battling for a $1M first prize, with Trophy Stall coming out on top over Crabwood Creek Unstoppables in the final at the Everest ground.
This year’s tournament has been divided into 18 zones and will be played under the rule book of the GSL, with this year’s victorious male team receiving $2M and a trophy and the female winners $1M and a trophy.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony hailed the event as a massive undertaking which will lead to huge development in the sport and a role model to other countries. He said his Ministry was very proud to be part of the historic tournament once again.
The Minister expressed his pleasure that GT&T has yet again put together another grand event, stating that at the commencement of this tournament last year there was a lot of skepticism on whether such a huge tournament can really work in Guyana, but the methodology used really paid off.
Minister Anthony said that while this year’s tournament is already bigger than last year’s, he encourages the communities to support the teams participating and lauded the organisers for introducing a female category this time around. 
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GT&T, Yog Mahadeo, who was at the bowling end of the ceremonial first ball, expressed gratitude to the organising committee for once again putting together the largest tournament in Guyana. 
Mahadeo said he was amazed at the number of teams who entered this year’s tournament which he said will go a long way in promoting team spirit, collaboration and a discipline-minded approach to problem-solving. He reiterated his company’s support to sports development and community involvement through sport activities.
The competition will continue throughout the country on weekends with the grand final set for the Guyana National Stadium on April 10 where a splendid Caribbean-style entertainment package, including overseas artistes, is planned.
GT&T, along with the co-sponsors, Coca-Cola, Vitamalt, Tropical Mist, Impressions, Auto Fashion, Cell Phone Shack, Buddy’s Night Club and King’s Jewellery World, will be giving several prizes during the preliminaries to teams and spectators and these prizes will become more attractive as the competition progresses, ultimately making everyone a winner.
The grounds will be branded by GT&T and co-sponsors and entertainment will be a sober party-style, with several promotions and giveaways throughout the games, with 10/10 merchandise, including jerseys, being on sale at several prominent venues.
Updates on the tournament can be viewed on ‘We Linkin’ television programme aired on NCN Channel 11 on Monday evenings at 21:00 h, as well as the weekly 10/10 Round Up to be aired on Thursdays at a time to be announced on NCN.