TEAMS desirous of competing in the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL)-organised Pre-Mashramani tournament which will be played in two categories – Open and Over-40 – are being reminded of the closing date for registration which is Friday, January 31 2014.

The tournament, which was set to bowl off on January 25 and culminate the following day, was pushed back to February 14, due to unforeseen circumstances within the GSCL Inc., hence the renewed closing date for registration.
The winning team in the Open category will pocket G$1M, a trophy and 15 medals, with the runners-up collecting $200 000, a trophy and 15 medallions and in the Over-40 category, the winners will receive $600 000, a trophy and medallions, while the second-placed team will take home $200 000 a trophy and medals.
Man-of-the-Series for both categories will receive a three-piece living room suite or cash equivalent and the Man-of-the-Match of the final $10 000 and a trophy.
Teams desirous of competing in the Open category, are asked to pay an entrance fee of $140 000 (US$700), while those who wish to do battle in the Over-40 segment will have to pay an entrance fee of $120 000 (US$600).
The drawing of the competition which is the brainchild of GSCL Inc. Trustee Mahendra Hardyal, will take place on a date and venue to be announced. Already invitations have been extended to teams from Suriname, Canada, Florida and New York.
On the local scene, it is expected that teams such as Wolf Warriors, Berbice Titans, Regal XI, Memorex, Speedboat and Trophy Stall will seek to capture the first prize in the Open category, while Regal XI, Savage Masters and Industry Super Kings, should be among the list of competitors in the Over-40 segment.
Preliminary matches are expected to be played at Everest Cricket Club, Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, and the Ministry of Education ground, with the semifinals and final being contested at Everest Cricket Club, which will host the Open final under lights, with live radio commentary.

(Calvin Roberts)