–Company optimistic of successful event

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) yesterday bowled off their inaugural Tapeball tournament at the National Park tarmac, featuring over 100 teams.

Matches will continue today at the same venue (National Park), while matches will also be played on July 22 at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground. The finals is slated for July 30 at the GCC Ground.

Two Hundred Thousand dollars ($200,000) will be awarded to the winning team, while second and third place teams will pocket $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The seven-a-side tournament will be played on a ‘win or go home’ basis, until the top two sides remain. According to the rules of the tournament, matches will be played based on entry of teams to each zone or as assigned by the coordinators.

Exit from the competition may be a result of losing matches or by disqualification. The rules also states that a batsman cannot be given out via LBW; all other forms of dismissal may apply based on the decision of the umpire. Bowlers are allowed to bowl a maximum of two overs.

Meanwhile, after bowling the tournament’s first ball, GTT Chief Executive Officer, Justin Nedd stated that the event is being used by the company to give back to the communities, while adding that “this will also bowl off the cricket season, since GTT is also the proud sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors. “

“This Tapeball cricket is going to be a success because we’ve seen an overwhelming response of teams that are vying for more than $300,000 in prizes, so I encourage all to enjoy, have a good time, support the warriors and support GTT,” Nedd told the gathering of teams at the National Park yesterday.