GEORGETOWN Cricket Association (GCA)-organised Noble House Seafoods (NHS)-sponsored two-day second division defending champions, Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), have been drawn in Group ‘A’ for this year’s tournament.

Runners-up University of Guyana (UG) who will be looking to go one step further in this year’s tournament that bowls off this weekend, will have to first battle their way to the semifinals, out of Group ‘B’, which is being described as the ‘Group of Death’ by some cricket enthusiasts.
This fact was made known yesterday afternoon when the third edition of the tournament, which will see the winners walk away with $100 000 a trophy and medals, was launched on the upper deck of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC).
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Pierce Corlette said his entity was pleased to be partnering with the GCA once again to sponsor the two-day competition.
“NHS is proud to be associated with the GCA, for this two-day competition. We are always there to support sports, but primarily cricket and we are looking forward to a keenly contested tournament once again, as some of the players would go on to play at a higher level around Guyana and further afield,” stated Corlette.
In his brief remarks, president of the GCA, Roger Harper, said his entity was appreciative of the kind and generous gesture NHS has made again, for the third successive year.
According to the former West Indies all-rounder and coach, the tournament gives the players a chance to develop their skills over the longer version of the game.
“While some are going for the much shorter version of the game, NHS understands the importance of the longer version of the game, in terms of developing our talent and skill and gives the vibrant youngsters the opportunity to play much longer.
“A batsman can spend more time at the crease and this can prove to be very, very worthy and valuable indeed. We look forward to the competition being keenly contested as was stated by Corlette and we look forward to some good action on the field,” stated Harper.
Following the recent on-the-field incident between GCC and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in the GCA/New Building Society second division limited overs final, Harper said the GCA would not be encouraging such an ugly incident to raise its head, while stressing the need for discipline throughout the tournament.
“Players need to understand that the way they conduct themselves on the field of play is important. We are all sure that a company like NHS, who is paying the sort of interest to sponsor a tournament, should be having matches of the highest quality and we want to thank NHS for their generosity, as we look forward to partnering with them in the future,” said Harper.
Earlier, Chairman of the GCA’s Competitions Committee, Shawn Massiah, said last year’s tournament was a successful one, where there were a number of centuries, coupled with five- and ten-wicket hauls, as it brought out the best in some players, some of whom went on to play for Guyana at the Under-17 and 19 levels.
As was customary throughout last year’s tournament, the GCA has issued playing conditions to all clubs competing in this year’s tournament, asking them to pay special attention to clauses 3, 15, 28, 29, 30, 34, 37 and 38.
One such clause states that if a player has represented Guyana at the senior level within the past three years and his county at the senior level within the last two years, that player would be debarred from competing in the GCA/NHS second division two-day competition.
Also, players who have played first division cricket during the same year of the GCA/NHS second division two-day tournament, are required to play at least two matches in the league stage of the same competition, in order to be eligible to play in the semifinal and finals, while no team is allowed to take the field of play with less than seven nominated players.
When quizzed on the reason why the tournament will bowl off this weekend, while the GCA/Queensway Cup Open tournament is in progress, Harper said no second division team had made it to the next round of that competition and if anyone had done so, they would have juggled the fixtures around to accommodate that team.
He further stated that his executive body has not made a decision, with regard to spectator support for the remaining matches in the Queensway Cup tournament, especially the final which was well attended last year at the GCC ground.
However, Ace Warriors, Police Sports Club, Transport Sports Club, Vikings, Everest Cricket Club and Third Class have all joined GNIC in Group ‘A’, while DCC, GCC, Guyana Defence Force, Gandhi Youth Organisation, Muslim Youth Organisation and Malteenoes Sports Club complete Group ‘B’ alongside UG.