…Over $3,000,000 in prize money up for grabs

THE eighth edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 softball tournament, set to bowl off on October 11, will be launched on tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground, Woolford Avenue, commencing at 17:00 hours.
The tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), in conjunction with the Prime Minster’s Office and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports, is expected to be graced with the presence of Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Minister Charles Ramson who are expected to give remarks.

The three-day extravaganza, which will see prize money in excess of $3,000,000 plus other incentive prizes, is being once more staged to coincide with the conclusion of the final leg of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in an endeavour to get overseas players participate in the competition, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc. The final leg of the CPL is set for September 24 – October 6.

According to GSCL President, Ian John, a record 10 women’s teams have already entered for this year’s tournament, a significant increase from the six from last year with 4 R Lioness set to defend their crown. He also pointed out that that figure is likely to increase to 12.
Apart from 4 R Lioness, the others registered to date are: Yarrowkabra Top Strikers, CJ Warriors, Arrowhead Strikers, Number 64 Night Riders, Kuru Kuru Panthers, Supreme Stars, Invaders and Parika Rising Stars.
The men’s category will be contested in the usual three categories – Open All Stars, Masters Over-40 and Legends Over-50. Entrance fee per team is $80 000 (Guyana) or $400 (US) while the women will be required to pay $15 000 (Guyana). The organisers have also announced that teams in the Over-50 category will be allowed the luxury of playing one 49-year-old player.

Among the teams registered so far in the Open category are defending champions Knight Riders Ariel, Regal All Stars, Speedboat, Name Brand, Blue Steel (President’s Guard) and Premier Insurance Guyana.
The seven Over-40 Masters teams entered to date are Regal Masters, Fishermen Masters, Success Masters, New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Masters, Ariel Masters, Softball Cricket Canada and Hibernia Strikers.

Defending champions, Regal Legends head the list in the Over-50 category which also includes GTA Storm, NYSCL Legends, Parika Defenders, Trophy Stall Legends, Aash Décor Legends, Rockaway Legends, Marine Legends and Jai Hind Legends.
All finals are slated to be contested at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary on Sunday, October 13 while preliminary round matches will be played at grounds around Georgetown and its environs.