…Over $ 1.3M in cash prizes up for grabs

OVER $1.3M in cash prizes will be up for grabs when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Incorporated stages its third edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 Cup on November 1, 2 and 3 next under the theme: “Fostering social cohesion through sports”.

At last Friday’s launch of this year’s tournament, held at the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC) ground, Thomas Lands, GSCL president Ian John disclosed that both the All Stars and Over-45 winners will cart off $500 000 each while the Legends Over-50 victors will take home $300 000. The runners-up in each category are also guaranteed $100 000.

This year marks the first for the Legends Over-50 category which has been gaining popularity since its introduction at the 2017 Toronto Cup.

In addition to trophies, there are a number of lucrative incentive prizes which include man-of-the-match in the finals and the Most Valuable Players in each category.

The man-of-the-match in the All Stars final will receive a trophy and $10 000 while the MVP will ride away with a Hero motorcycle, compliments of Rose Ramdehol. The man-of-the-match in the Over-45 final will take home a trophy and $10 000 and the MVP a 55-inch smart TV while the man-of-the-match in the Legends Over-50 will collect a trophy and $10 000 and the MVP one gold bracelet.

John also announced that the organisers have agreed to allow two players aged 43 plus to be included in the Over-45 category while the Over-50s have the luxury of playing three 49-year-olds.

According to the GSCL president, his entity is expecting at least 24 teams from Guyana, Canada, New York and Orlando to participate in a “bigger and better” tournament which features a number of giveaways on the final day.

While entrance remains free, teams will be required to furnish their own meals and water and are required to be decked out in their various team uniforms. They will also be required to deposit a commitment fee of G$60 000 or US$300 which will be refunded on the second day of the tournament (November 2).

John had previously pointed out that there have been instances where teams gave their assurance of competing and pulled out at the last moment, placing the organisers in a quandary to fill places, hence the reason for the commitment fee.

Unlike the two previous tournaments, John also disclosed that the All Stars final will be staged under floodlights at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, following the completion of the other two finals earlier on Sunday, November 3. Star Party Rentals will provide the floodlights.

The GSCL president is therefore urging spectators to come out in their numbers in what promises to be a fun-filled day which will also feature the ever-popular “dancing girls”.

Among those at the impressive launching ceremony were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport Dr George Norton.
The Prime Minister told the gathering that he was extremely happy that the Office of the Prime Minister has been associated with the staging of the tournament over the past three years as it allows everyone to unite. “Sports of this nature is intended to create a space for all,” the Prime Minister added.

While commending the organisers for their excellent efforts, Minister Norton felt that some consideration should be given for a women’s category in future. That, he said, would fully embody the theme of this year’s tournament.

Matches are scheduled for the Everest, Police, YMCA, Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO), GNIC, Malteenoes and DCC grounds while, according to John, should matches be played at Enmore, Minister Norton has assured that transportation will be provided free of cost through his ministry.

All teams will be required to attend a meeting on Thursday, October 31, prior to the commencement of the tournament the following day, and their 15-member team list should also include identification photographs which will be placed in a database system.

While new Over-50 champions will be crowned, Speedboat and Regal Masters are the defending champions in the All Stars and Over-45 categories respectively.

Among the several sponsors for this year’s tournament are Banks DIH, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Crown Mining, Rajiv Gandhi University, Green Heart University, Star Party Rentals, Supreme Venture, Elegance Jewellery, Cyber Sports Pakistan, Ink Plus the Computer Store, Dyna’s Embroidery, USA Cricket Zone, Krishna and Balram Printery and Hero Motorcycle Rose Ramdehol. (Frederick Halley)