THE inaugural Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) DeSinco Under-13 Cricket League Championship was officially launched in the DeSinco Trading Building yesterday and is set to commence on August 14 at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground.
In the simple ceremony attended by the CEO of the sponsorship company, Frank DeAbreau, president of the GCA, Roger Harper and chairman of the Development Committee, Neil Barry, disclosed the purpose of the tournament which is to primarily identify young talent and nurture same until the Under-19 level.
This venture with the two entities, according Harper, is one already branded to be a long-term partnership which will be done over a seven-year period only in the Georgetown area.
Harper stated that the association is delighted that DeSinco Trading has agreed to partner with them.
He went on to say “A lot of glamour isn’t at this level because it is the foundation or the cornerstone of where cricket begins and we would like to improve these young players’ skills and also help them to become better citizens in the future.”
The former Guyana and West Indian all-rounder added that they expect to do an outstanding job with the programme because the competition is about having all the players involved so teamwork is going to be the key.
Meanwhile, DeAbreau, a stalwart in the development of sport throughout the country, also expressed his delight to partner and help in the progression of young talent.
He was ardent in his brief remarks as he made clear that he throws his full support behind development and also backs the idea of having all the players batting, bowling and fielding in ever match.
The tournament format has been completely altered to get every youth, aged 9-12 who qualify to play on the 11-member team, involved.
The six teams involved are Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Everest Cricket Club (ECC), GYO, Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) and Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO).
Barry disclosed that all the clubs except MSC and MYO have got their allotted players for the 18-match league and he is urging parents to enrol their children at those two venues during the week after 16:00hrs.
Regulations set are: Each player on the fielding side except the wicketkeeper must bowl at least one over; only five pairs are allowed to bat and that pair will change every five overs with unlimited dismissal in play.
However, each dismissal will result in 10 runs being deducted from the total; each team will start with 200 runs and as they score, runs will be deducted from it and the team with the largest deductions will be declared as the winner.
Other rules include: A 21-yard pitch; 4¾ oz ball; 25 overs-a-side; two runs awarded for a wide delivery and also for a no-ball which will not be bowled back.
Matches will be played at the GYO, MYO and Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) grounds throughout the tournament.