WEATHER permitting, action in the inaugural New Building Society (NBS)-sponsored Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)-organised 40 overs-a-side second division round robin competition is set to bowl off tomorrow with six matches across the two zones. However, with the aim to continue the development of fast bowlers as they previously did in the Haier Cup Open competition last year, the governing body for cricket in Georgetown is asking all 14 second division clubs who will be battling for supremacy, to have their pacemen bowl at least 40% of the overs per match.
This was disclosed by vice-president of the GCA, Neil Barry, at the launching of the tournament which took place at the sponsor’s new North Road and Avenue of the Republic building last Monday, while giving an overview of the tournament.
Present at the launching were Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony, NBS Chairman and Minister of Labour Dr Nanda Gopaul, NBS Director and incoming Chairman Moen McDoom, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ahmad Khan, along with other special invited guests, who later witnessed the CEO handing over a cheque for $936 800 to the GCA secretary Deborah McNichol.
With the aim to stamp out insularity while at the same time maintain their high level of discipline, Barry said defaulting captains who fail to submit match reports two weeks after the respective match was played, would be suspended for two games, while clubs who fail to turn up for their fixed encounters would be fined $15 000.
Barry, who himself is a former national wicketkeeper/batsman who bowls military medium pace whenever he chooses to don his playing gear for Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), said the bonus points system that was so effective in the Association’s Under-15 and Open championship will be enforced once again.
President of the GCA and former Guyana and West Indies off-spinning all-rounder, Roger Harper, was high in praise for the sponsor, who opted to come on board with his Association, especially at a time when cricket is in need of a pick-me-up.
According to Harper, what most impressed the GCA about its discussions with NBS was their willingness to sponsor a second division competition showing that they wanted to help develop Georgetown’s cricket by supporting the game at the grassroots level.
“Many seem to think the interest and flair is in first division cricket and (they) are not too keen to get involved in competitions at the lower levels. Our aim is to take cricket in the City to a higher level and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with NBS,” stated Harper.
Apart from Harper and Barry, brief remarks were given by McDoom and Dr Anthony, who both lauded the GCA for their heroic efforts in developing cricket in Georgetown, amidst the turbulent times the game is facing administrative-wise.
Defending GCA second division 40-overs champions Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), MSC, Demerara Cricket Club and Everest Cricket Club, are the four seeded teams in the tournament, while a draw was conducted by GCA Competitions Committee Chairman, Shawn Massiah, to decide the groupings for the other 10 teams.
With this completed, Zone ‘A’ is headed by GNIC and includes Everest, Third Class, Vikings, Georgetown Cricket Club, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Gandhi Youth Organisation.
DCC heads Zone ‘B’ and their main competitors are MSC, Transport Sports Club (TSC), University of Guyana (UG), Police Sports Club (PSC), Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) and Ace Warriors.
Should the consistent and persistent rainfall which has plagued the Capital City over the past 48 hours improve today, permitting play tomorrow, the matches scheduled are as follows: GNIC host Third Class, Everest are at home to Vikings and GYO face GCC at Bourda in Zone ‘A’ with GDF drawing the bye.
In Zone ‘B’, DCC and TSC clash at Queenstown, MSC will seek to educate UG at their Thomas Lands-based refurbished ground and MYO battle Police at MYO with Ace Warriors drawing the bye.