Winning team to receive $375 000

WITH the aim to have as much cricket played on the East Coast corridor, United States-based company Elizabeth Styles last Sunday partnered with the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) to host a 40 overs round-robin cricket tournament.
At the launching, which took place at the Better Hope Community Centre ground pavilion, the board received $500 000 towards the tournament.
In attendance were Marketing Director of Elizabeth Styles, Kevin Thomas, president of the ECCB, Bissoondyal Singh, executives of the ECCB and captains of the clubs on the East Coast.
Thomas, speaking at the ceremony, said the initiative gives us great pleasure to be associated with the game in Guyana.
“While this is the fourth consecutive year that we are sponsoring cricket on the East Coast of Demerara, we have also in the past sponsored Under-17, Under-19, and development programmes in Berbice.
He added, “We believe that the ECCB is doing a great job, and we are quite satisfied with the way they have been administering these competitions, and as such we wish them well.”
Singh in his presentation said that while the ECCB is facing challenging times as it relates to receiving subventions and financing from what is given to Guyana by Cricket West Indies, the board has managed to maintain a high level of cricketing activities.
“Had it not been for businesses and companies like Elizabeth Styles it would have been a monumental task, and so on behalf of the ECCB, the clubs and teams on the East Coast, I would like to express sincere gratitude to the management and staff of Elizabeth Styles for their generosity,” Singh pointed out.
Also speaking at the ceremony was the board’s vice-president, Raymond Barton, who explained that the tournament will attract teams as far as Abary on the East Coast.
This year’s tournament will see the winners receive a sum of $375 000 and second-placed collect $75 000.
The competition is expected to commence on Sunday.
All participating clubs are asked to make contact with Barton on telephone number 626-0223 on or before Friday.