ORGANISING and promoting any sporting event, however big or small, calls for total dedication and commitment by majority of, if not all, the personnel involved in the exercise to make it successful. And to launch a new tournament calls for a lot of planning, pooling of ideas and resources as well as strategies to be engaged before facing reporters and cameramen at media conferences.
Someone has to start the process by conceptualising the idea and creating a vision before all the other important facets are brought together to excite people of becoming a part of the shared journey and experience that will transform people’s lives.
Guyana has been fortunate to have someone like Yog Mahadeo, who looks at the bigger picture and is willing to commit the considerable amount of money and resources for the benefit of all citizens and residents in the country.
Mahadeo is the current Chief Executive Officer of GT&T and has been the driving force behind the GT&T 10/10 Softball competition which has become an iconic sporting event in the country and the Caribbean.
Because of his wonderful relationship with his workmates especially Royston Rachpaul, Carmachand Rambarran, Richard Sukhdeo, Sachin Persaud and Abina Fung; they, together with Leonard Harprashad (Organising Secretary) and other officials of the Guyana Softball League (GSL) as well as blessings from the Guyana’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, have created the biggest sporting competition in Guyana for the past two seasons.
The GT&T 10/10 Softball Competition surpassed all expectations and attracted 584 teams from all three counties for the inaugural 2010 season.
Georgetown’s Trophy Stall created history and emerged as the first nationwide champion with a clinical performance against Crabwood Creek Unstoppables in the grand final on March 21 at the Everest Cricket ground. But the most absorbing contest among the top sixteen teams was the semifinal encounter between Trophy Stall and Memorex of Berbice.
The enthralling contest brought out the best from both teams and in the end it was the Georgetown-based team which prevailed by five runs. It was a sensational victory and provided the momentum for their eventual triumph. 
Triumphant Trophy Stall’s captain Diyaram Ramnath, their sponsor Ramesh Sunich, and their loyal supporters celebrated a famous 51-run victory amidst carnival-like atmosphere at the picturesque Woolford Avenue ground, ideally situated where the cooling breeze from the Atlantic Ocean made the experience a very special one under floodlights. It was the most memorable occasion for the boys from Better Hope on the East Coast of Demerara.
Mahadeo and his hard-working executive members, headed by Royston Rachpaul, along with the Guyana Softball League officials, were overwhelmed with the national response and the support of over 7 000 people at the ground to share in the historical climax of the country’s newest and biggest sporting spectacle.
So touched and moved by the enthusiasm and happiness generated, he immediately pledged to double the prize-money in the second year during the presentation function.
It was indeed a ‘Night to Remember’ when softball cricket gained a permanent place in the sporting consciousness of the nation as the live broadcast feed, both television and radio, was carried on National Communications Network (NCN).
Having moved from the position as Chief Financial Officer of GT&T to the higher position as CEO, Mahadeo kept his promise and not only doubled the prize money across the board but included a special category to cater for all females in the country.
The 2011 GT&T 10/10 Softball Competition was a resounding success and once again surpassed all previous expectations. After two months of competition, two new champions were crowned at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on April 10.
Wolf Warriors (West Demerara) defeated Universal Solutions Tigers (Berbice) in the grand final while Berbice All Stars women team created their own history by beating Annandale Street Warriors in the ladies’ final to take home the one million-dollar prize to the Berbice County.
Former national youth cricketer Anil Jairam proved that he is the best softball player in the country and produced a commanding all-round performance in the final to deny the Berbicians of a unique double at the Providence stadium. Over 15 000 spectators  received an additional treat with a Super Concert, staged at the stadium’s car park after the cricketing activities.
West Indies women’s player Shemaine Campbelle did likewise and she excelled for the Berbice All Stars team which demolished pre-tournament favourites Wellwomen in the ‘semis’ while Annandale Street Warriors proved a tough combination before conceding defeat to the star-studded Berbice outfit.
The GT&T Organising Committee headed by Carmachand Rambarran and the GSL officials, headed by Harprashad, did a fantastic job in organising both categories that involved over 1 200 clubs of which 235 competed in the female category.
Buoyed by the wonderful GT&T 10/10 experience and successes; Mahadeo’s drive to change the sporting landscape and provide healthy entertainment for all saw the advent of another unique sporting experience for Guyanese.
Mahadeo and his GT&T group members partnered with Kashif and Shanghai Promotions and the Hits and Jams Entertainment group to launch the GT&T FastBall Competition.
With the blessings of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF); this is another competition which has caught the imagination of thousands and has stirred great community spirit with representative teams from the traditionally strong football areas of the country making it through to the Super 16 stage.
More than two hundred teams vie for top honours and the competition has provided the platform for new football stars to emerge.
In this entertaining format, with no off-side rule and a ‘BlueBall’ double score part of the proceedings, spectators would have enjoyed the fascinating contests that definitely brought out the best from the players and their respective teams as they seek glory and the fabulous one-million dollar top prize.
Apart from the monetary incentive, it is the drive and desire to create history and become the first-ever GT&T FastBall champions that will provide exciting matches today at the Georgetown Football Club ground and the grand finale on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Massive crowds are expected and there will be great debate as to the merits of which team will emerge victorious at the different stages. The BlueBall introduction will keep the pulse racing as tension will be fever-pitch especially if the scores are marginally different.
This competition reminds me of the formation of the now famous club Pele Football Club by former national coach Lennox ‘Mullin Scar’ Arthur in 1971 and then the launch of the Inter-Ward Football League by football livewire Harold ‘Lightweight’ Kissoon in the seventies.