THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has pledged its support for the third consecutive year to the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, which will begin in late June.

The tournament is significantly expanding in its third year, with matches being held in all counties. Minister Charles Ramson Jr. has strongly supported the event, recognising its potential to grow into a significant regional and international competition.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Minister Ramson Jr., and title sponsor Kares Engineering Inc. are the driving forces behind the tournament’s expansion. Organisers FL Sport now cater to 80 teams across four zones, all competing for one championship.

FL Sport also has plans for a Caribbean tournament, with teams from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Dominica expressing interest in competing against Guyana’s best.

The ministry’s support includes utilising some upgraded venues from the government’s ground enhancement project. Provisions are being made for matches to be held at the Anna Regina Multipurpose Stadium, the Albion Sports Complex, and the final at the National Stadium, Providence, on Sunday, August 3.

FL Sport’s Managing Director, John Ramsingh, acknowledged the Ministry’s crucial role in the tournament’s growth. “Without the keen support from the ministry, a lot of what we have achieved would not be possible,” Ramsingh stated. “His Excellency, the Sport Ministry, and our title sponsor have played key roles in our reaching greater heights each year. With the support, we will undertake a major project this year by carrying matches into the communities.”

Ramsingh added that the tournament has grown from 32 teams in its first year to 80 teams in its third year, thanks to the President’s and the Minister’s vision and the support of key corporate sponsors.

The 2025 tournament will begin in Berbice on June 28 and 29, followed by East Bank/West Demerara (July 5-6), Georgetown/East Demerara (July 19-20), and Essequibo (July 26-27), with the finals on August 3.

Each zone will have a limit of 16 teams, except for Georgetown/East Coast Demerara, which will have a maximum of 32 teams.

The top team from each zone will win $300,000 and qualify for the national final, where the winner will receive $1.7 million. The runners-up in the national final will receive $700,000, and the two losing semi-finalists will each receive $300,000.

Each losing finalist in the zone finals will receive $100,000. High-value cash incentives will also be offered for individual performances in the tournament.

Registration for the tournament begins on May 14, with a fee of $30,000 per team. FL Sport noted that further details will be announced later, but urged that registration be on a first-come, first-served basis. While teams can choose to register in any zone, they can only select one zone.

All zone and national finals will be streamed live on social media and ENet.

Previous champions of the tournament are Eccles All-Stars (2023) and Titans All-Stars (2024).