… tournament to bowl off November 4 with 24 teams

THE softball cricket scene of Guyana is expected to once again see much excitement as the annual Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) sixth annual three-day international `Guyana Softball Cup 6’ makes its return.At a press conference held at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in Queenstown yesterday, it was announced that the sixth instalment of the tournament will bowl off on November 4.
According to GFSCA president Ramchand Ragbeer, the competition has grown significantly since its inception in 2010 and he is excited at seeing a good tournament ahead.
“We have seen the tournament getting bigger and better, so much so, to become one of the best in the country,” stated Ragbeer. “I hope to see a good tournament ahead, and a big thank you to the sponsors and teams who have made it possible.”
Also speaking was GFSCA vice-president Ricky Deonarain who gave details concerning the tournament including when it will be held in addition to the teams who will compete.
“The GFSCA sixth Annual three-day International Softball tournament is set for November 4, 5 and 6 at various venues in Georgetown.
24 teams are expected to take part and `Guyana Softball Cup 6’ will be played in two categories: Male Open and Male Masters.
Deonarain also went on to state that 10 teams are expected from New York, Florida and Canada with the other 14 teams coming from Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara.
“There will be 36 preliminaries with four semi-finals, male open and masters finals. A female 10/10 exhibition game will be played, amounting to a total of 43 games in three days of competition,” Deonarain explained.
The representatives of the three sponsors present all stated that their companies were interested in continuing partnership with the GFSCA and were happy to see the growth of the tournament.
Last speaker Gervy Harry, on behalf of the National Sports Commission (NSC), extended his congratulations to the GFSCA for organising another competition.
Harry said he would like the association to encourage more females to be involved in positions on the executive body.
He also had words of encouragement to give to the GFSCA and their sponsors. “Keep on keeping the sponsors. We at the NSC are always ready to partner with sport associations for the benefit of the sport.”
“To the GFSCA I say, everything you do you must have dignity and importance and must be done with excellence, your examples must inspire others … learn to take the lead and lead by example … seek ways to build up rather than tear down and whatever you do, whether small or large, must help improve the game,” Harry stated.
There will be ten teams playing in the `Guyana Softball Cup 6’ Open. Fourteen teams will play in `Guyana Softball Cup 6’ Masters.
The prizes for Champion team in the Open category are: winning trophy plus $800 000, runner-up trophy plus $200 000. MVP in the final will receive a trophy while Player-of-the-Series will receive a cricket gold pendant (14-carat) with diamond encrusted, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.
Prizes for the Champion team in the Male Master category are: winning trophy plus $600 000, runner-up trophy plus $150 000.
MVP of the final will receive a trophy while Player-of-the-series will also receive a cricket bat gold pendant (14-carat) with diamond encrusted, again compliments of Steve’s Jewellery. There will also be plaques for special performances: centuries and five-wicket hauls. These will be provided with the compliments of Trophy Stall.
Four ticket-holders stand a chance to win a fully-paid trip for two to Baganara Resort, Kaieteur/Orinduik Falls, Arrowpoint Resort, and Aruwai Resort White H20Water for one night, compliments of Survival Travel Agency.
Sponsors for Guyana Softball Cup 6 are: STAG, RUBiS Guyana, Trophy Stall, Survival Group of Business, Steve’s Jewellery, Clear Waters, Busta Soft Drink, Rohan Auto Spares, A & R Jiwanram Printery, W.J Enterprise and Mike’s Pharmacy.