– GY $3M sponsorship to cover teams during Inter-county, Regional tourneys
By Clifton Ross
THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Dave’s West Indian Imports and Exports continued their relationship for the 5th year as the 2020 Under-15 Inter-county 50-Over Tournament was launched on Monday.
Long-time sponsor, Dave Narine, CEO of the overseas-based company, threw almost GY$3M into the youth tournament which will feature the three counties: Berbice, Essequibo, Demerara and a GCB President’s XI team.
During Monday’s official launch at the GCB Regent Street Head Office, Board Secretary Anand Sanasie, during his remarks, credited the business for being one of the mainstays of youth cricket development, having donated millions of dollars over the last 4 years to the U-15 cause.
“I would like to thank Dave for willingly coming on board because, over the years, some of the players from Guyana senior team have come out of the U-15 levels”, said the GCB secretary.
Sanasie added that with the U-15 team doing well over the last five years at the regional level, he hopes that the new batch will perform well and do the same, as he expects keenly contested matches.
Territorial Development Officer (TDO), Colin Stuart, said the board has been fully committed to the U-15 tournament, as a number of national senior stars have graduated from the competition over the years and went on to bigger things.
Meanwhile, Narine aired his thoughts on continuing to sponsor the youths, saying “It’s a golden opportunity for the GCB to ask to sponsor the kids and I see them as future, that’s why I love sponsoring U-15”, said the sponsor.
He continued, “I want to be proud of seeing them do well in the future and know they were a part of the tournament. I’m proud of everyone and I would love to support cricket at all levels”.
Narine’s sponsorship will not only cover the Inter-county with regards to branding of team uniforms etc, but it will also cover the National U-15 team when they prepare for the Regional tournament.
Meanwhile, the tournament, which will be played under round-robin rules, bowls off on February 16 with reserve dates for the final.
