Action hits off tomorrow

By Calvin Chapman

THE inaugural Vice-President’s Softball Cricket Extravaganza, which is being organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), is set to have over $1Million in cash and prizes for the top performers when the curtains fall on the three-day tourney, this Sunday.
Play is scheduled to begin tomorrow and the tournament, which is supported by Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, will be played in three categories: Open, Masters 40 and over and Masters over-50.
This event was launched yesterday at the Muslim Youth Organistion (MYO) on Woolford Avenue and present at the significant ceremony was VP Dr. Jagdeo, Ian John of GSCL, John Ramsingh of FL Sport and GSCL Secretary, Telesha Ousman.
Vice-President Jagdeo, during his address, posited that he was extremely happy to be part of the tournament although he was a bit hesitant at first. “I prefer to work in the background of government and society, so it took a few months to convince me. I had misgivings because sometimes things are not well organized”, but the President; H.E. Irfaan Ali vouched for the organisers.

Jagdeo thanked all the people who have worked hard to put this product together. He mentioned that, “I recognise that often people in our society diagnose problems, they see the need for more activities to bring people together but they won’t make an effort. However, this here (Vice-President’s Extravaganza) is a dedicated effort to do that (bring people together).
“Sport brings people of different class, race and religion together, and that is important”, the Champion of the Earth continued.
The Vice-President echoed the PPP Government’s commitment to sport and detailed the massive investment that is coming to the sector. He reassured that Government is open to working with all sporting bodies and lamented the need for everyone to be operating at a higher level, so that we can raise our game, literally, across the board.
Ian John of the GSCL highlighted that, “Softball has experienced massive growth and continues to grow in Guyana. The sky is the limit for the sport and we would like to welcome the Vice-President to be part of this process, and we hope this can be an ongoing partnership for many years to come.”
The venues for the tournament are Transport, Queen’s College, DCC, Enmore and the Police Progressive Youth Club ground.

Photo caption: At centre is Dr. Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo. From left is John Ramsingh, Ian John, Telesha Ousman and Indrajeet Persaud during yesterday’s launch of the Vice-President Softball Cricket Extravaganza