AS THE executive of the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) continues preparations for the Caribbean Championships, set for the Bank of Guyana Sports Club next month, another corporate entity has responded to their pleas for assistance. This time, following close on the heels of a similar gesture by Serious Off-Roaders, Nexlink Communications of Church Street, Georgetown, has presented the GASP with a sizeable monetary donation to offset the huge monetary demands for the hosting of a successful tournament.
The ceremony took place at the sponsor’s downtown office and national players Leon Belony and Moen Gafoor received the donation on behalf of GASP.
Amanda DeFreitas, who handed over the cheque to the Belony, informed the duo that her Managing Director, Kavim Bhaichandeen, was only too happy to support the scrabble players in their quest to win the impending championships.
Meanwhile, senior players are reminded that practice sessions for the imminent championships continue at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) on Thursdays at 18:00hrs and players are asked to make a special effort to attend as this could enhance the local team’s chances of winning the tournament.
Eight players will lead Guyana’s charge in an attempt to upset reigning team champions, Trinidad and Tobago, who are expected to field a strong contingent, while Barbados will also field a competent team which should add to the competitiveness of the tournament.
Former national champion Fred Collins is currently the Caribbean individual champion and he is keen on retaining that accolade when the competition commences.
Meanwhile, Julian Cadogan scored three points and a positive spread of 498 to emerge victorious when the GASP staged a Beginners tournament at the MSC last Sunday morning.
Jennelle Cadogan came in second with a similar number of games but a lower positive spread of 444, while Ronald Joseph also accrued three points but with a much lower positive spread of 45, to seal off the final podium spot.
Jennelle Cadogan conceded her third round encounter to Tevin Skeete by a 30-spread margin but defeated Joseph Osei (422), Jennelle Cadogan (64) and Ricaldo Purnwasy (42) but rebounded with wins over Loren Black (303), Timothy Chester (85) and Skeete (120).
Joseph conceded his inaugural game to Purnwasy (86) but clinched his other three games to Winella Cameron (102), Delese Richmond (23) and Chester (6), while Skeete also accrued three points but finished with a negative spread of 16.
He defeated Chester (17), Purnwasy (57) and Julian Cadogan (30) but stumbled to Jennelle Cadogan by a spread of 120.
Belony in his capacity as the Tournament Director lauded the standard of play and said that it augers well for the development of the sport, while he complimented the players and urged the involvement of others since GASP will be planning other tournaments of this nature to encourage broad-based participation.
The top seed also thanked the sponsors and said that GASP would be looking forward to similar support from the corporate community as it continues to introduce the sport to communities countrywide.