FIRST division champions Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) and runners-up Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) last Wednesday night were the recipients of their respective prizes won in the Georgetown Cricket Association-organised Carib Beer/Friends of Cricket/Heroes Cup first division and De Sinco Trading Under-13 competitions respectively.

Prior to the presentation of prizes, both Cassandra Jaikaran of De Sinco Trading and Darshanie Yusuf Ansa McAl Public Relations Officer said they were very pleased to be associated with the GCA in assisting with the development of cricket.
“Most of you know how passionate our Managing Director Frank De Abreu is about sports, especially cricket and how he loves to see the youths in Guyana develop in their respective sport, especially cricket and that’s why he decided to play a huge part in sponsoring this tournament under our Axe brand of products,” stated Jaikaran.
She said De Abreu, who had a near fatal accident a few weeks ago, loves to see the youths showcasing their talent – a fact that was substantiated by GCA’s president Roger Harper, who said he witnessed De Abreu’s presence at a few games, and even had to calm him down, based on the passion he displayed for the love of the game.
“De Abreu did not only love sports, but he loved to give youths the opportunity to excel in sports, hence when he was approached to sponsor the Under-13 tournament. He did so willingly and even wanted to give out educational materials as gifts to the individual performers, before he was involved in that untimely accident,” stated Harper.
Said Yusuf, “One of the things Ansa McAl loves, is to see young faces with potential being recognised. We love sports, from our Managing Director, who is an ardent cricket fan, to the guys in the yard, and that’s why Ansa McAl took the opportunity that was presented to us two years ago, to sponsor this tournament.
“It was done so that you young people can have an opportunity to showcase your talent and what will be amazing to know is that you would have started playing at the Under-13 level through De Sinco, then you would have played in the Carib Beer first division, onto the national level and later on the West Indies.”
Yusuf said Ansa McAl was pleased to be associated with such a success story in years gone by, adding that it is no different now, seeing that there are so many bright faces waiting to pick up their individual awards.
In his brief remarks, Harper thanked the sponsors for their tangible contributions towards the development of cricket in Georgetown, while he charged the clubs to ensure their players represent the sponsor’s with respect, discipline and passion.
‘Sponsorship plays a significant role and without sponsorship, you would not have the opportunity to play with passion, purpose and exhibit good discipline and the sponsors are behind you, as you are ambassadors of their brand.
“Therefore, I call on you the players and even the clubs to ensure your players represent the sponsors’ brand with pride, decency, passion and good discipline, while I thank the sponsors for their partnership with the GCA and call on everyone involved, to use the opportunity to go onto bigger and better things in the sport of cricket,” stated Harper.
Earlier, Chairman of the GCA’s Competitions Committee, Shaun Massiah, gave an overview of both tournaments, saying MSC won the first division after accumulating 156 points, while DCC copped the second place with 132 points and in the De Sinco Under-13 tournament, DCC were runaway winners with 77 points, leaving Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ‘B’ in second place on 49 points.
According to Massiah, there were a number of half-centuries, 14 centuries and one double-century which was scored by Georgetown Cricket Club’s Robin Bacchus – 202 not out against GYO – while DCC’s Derwin Christian, who scored the most runs (604), hit three of the centuries and Dion Ferrier two.
DCC’s Totaram Bishun, Christopher Barnwell and Christian received accolades for Best Bowling Performance and Most Wickets, Fielder with the Most Dismissals and Batsman with the Most Runs respectively.
Georgetown Cricket Club’s Winston Forrester was named Best All-rounder and Most Valuable Player of the Tournament for his 292 runs and 24 wickets, while DCC received a cheque for $60 000, 14 medallions, a trophy and three cases of Carib Beer, while MSC received $100 000, trophy, 14 medallions and four cases of Carib Beer.
In the De Sinco Under-13 tournament, DCC’s Clevon McEwan took home the hog of the individual awards, after being adjudged the Best Batsman, Bowler and All-rounder of the tournament.
His teammates Timothy McAlmont and Reaz Ali won a prize for the Best Batting and Bowling Performance respectively and Alex Rambarran from Everest Cricket Club was named the Best Fielder of the tournament.
MSC’s Quason Nedd moved the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the awardees, while Secretary of the GCA, Deborah McNichol, gave the closing remarks and Vote of Thanks on behalf of the governing body, before the awardees and invitees shared some light refreshments.