ESSEQUIBO, Guyana’s largest county, has commenced a U-17 county-wide knock-out 50-overs cricket tournament which is being used as preparation for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) U-17-Inter-county 50 overs competition.
Essequibo Cricket Board’s (ECB) Marketing Manager Kumar Dass thanked NAMILCO for sponsoring this tournament to the tune of $200,000.

Dass, who served as Chairman of the Competitions Committee, spoke on the last ‘Sean Devers Sports Watch’ programme, saying that he is delighted that the ECB was able to organise this tournament.
“This sponsorship is not complete…it is a part sponsorship but comes at an opportune time when the U-17 inter-county tournament is coming up. We thank the National Flower Mill of Guyana for stepping up to support the development of Essequibo’s youth cricket,” Dass said.

He informed that the tournament, which includes three players who have represented Guyana at the Regional U-17 level, started last weekend.
“We have teams from Leguan, Wakanaam, Pomeroon, North Essequibo, South Essequibo and East Bank Essequibo. Bartica could not find a team but they have four players. I must add that players from the Moruca sub-district will play with the Pomeroon team,” continued Dass.

He disclosed that the final is set for June 2 and he is hoping for no rain.
“While prize money has not been set as yet for the winners, we have medals for all of the players and trophies for the champions and runners-up. We also have trophies for the Man-of-the-Match, batter with the most runs, the bowler with the most wickets and MVP of the tournament,” added Dass

“Travelling for matches has been one of the biggest challenges for Essequibo’s cricket due to the size of the county and the fact that you have to use boats from Bartica to Pomeroon and from Leguan and Wakanaam to the Essequibo Coast.
Travelling takes most of our money but with other sponsors and collaboration with the Essequibo Cricket Board, I am also working with the area committees to get them to play their part.

It’s been challenging but hopeful; with the support of everyone we can overcome those challenges and have more cricket in Essequibo,” Dass stated.
In the opening game last Saturday at the Charity Community Centre Ground, Pomeroon defeated East Bank Essequibo by 84 runs.
Pomeroon batted first and were bowled out for 143 in 30 overs before East Bank Essequibo were dismantled for 59 in 17 overs.

Pomeroon were led by Anderson Fraser (26), Harold Demattoes (20) and Dario Joseph who made 20 as Amit Rajaran captured 3-33.
In the East Bank Essequibo innings, national U-17 pacer Darwin Joseph had 3-10 from six overs. Andres Fraser 3-15 and Makaya Homles 3 for 12 also took wickets each.
The Guyana Cricket Board’s tournament is scheduled to bowl off just after the T20 World Cup.