TORONTO, Canada – Several of the softball players who will be involved in the fifth edition of the Guyana Softball Cup are set to have a dress rehearsal prior to the staging of the annual event in Guyana if plans by the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket League (OMSCL) bear fruit.As promised at its annual presentation ceremony in October last year, the OMSCL is forging ahead furiously to make those plans become a reality. Towards this end, the Labour Day weekend of September 4-6 has been earmarked for a grand mini World Cup, preceding the Guyana Softball Cup which will be held on September 30, 31 and October 1.

According to secretary of the OMSCL, Guyanese Azeem Khan, the tournament will be played along similar lines of the Guyana Softball Cup, featuring an Open and a Masters categories. Khan however pointed out that the logistics are still being worked out.
He is also seeking inputs from would-be participants to ensure the competition’s success.
Khan also pointed out that the playing conditions will be similar to those used by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), New York and Florida, “maybe with a little tweaking but nothing significant”. He also assured that the proposed registration fees will not be higher than those charged by the other tournament organisers.
Khan is requesting that teams desirous of participating indicate their intentions to the OMSCL very early since obtaining permits for the grounds in Toronto is a big challenge “so early confirmation to participate in the tournament will be quite helpful to us in securing the grounds”. He also disclosed that the tournament will be played with the traditional white balls which are being used in Guyana, New York and Florida.
During the OMSCL’s 15th annual presentation, dinner and dance last October, president Jai Singh told those in attendance that the league’s “most exciting initiative plan for 2015 will be to host a Mini World Cup or Americas Cup during the Labour Day holiday weekend.”
Singh had said then that issues pertaining to the ambitious plan would have been further discussed at the annual general meeting with the aim of making the tournament a reality.
Describing softball as a celebration of Guyanese culture, the OMSCL president pointed out that the league was also aiming to introduce a new knockout competition in the coming season but this will also be subject to approval of the board of directors.
Singh had high praise for his executives who he said did an excellent job. They include vice-president Azeem Khan described as “the face of the league”, statistician Ed Pestano, treasurer
Ron Singh and umpires coordinator Suresh Bodhoo while the many sponsors, members and players were also commended for their invaluable support.

By Frederick Halley