LOVERS of cricket on the Essequibo Coast are highly anticipating witnessing matches in the third Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, with ‘Super Sunday’ set for July 27.
The Managing Director for FL Sport, John Ramsingh, has been on the ground since Wednesday.
According to him, the excitement is high as fans can witness the thrills of the ‘Blast’ in person after following it online for the previous two editions.
“The atmosphere in Essequibo is amazing; they are truly looking forward to the matches, especially given some West Indies players have indicated their availability to play for teams. The three previous zones have produced nothing short of phenomenal cricket, and I am confident, Essequibo will be no different.”
West Indies players Shamar Joseph, Kyle Mayers and Ronsford Beaton are among a fleet of talented cricketers to feature.
He added, “We have complimentary tickets for the national finals, tickets that fans use to win prizes, and they are going fast.”
Matches in Essequibo will be held at Pomona Ground, Richmond Ballfield, Hampton Court, and Anna Regina Ground, with the finals held under lights.
Montra Jaguars (Berbice), Eccles All-Stars (East Bank Demerara/West Demerara), and Titans All-Stars (East Coast/ Georgetown) are the three-zone champions, and attention is now on who will fill the final spot.
The participating teams for the Essequibo zone are: Aurora Knight Riders, Team Evolution, Team Royals, Renegades Cricket Club, The United Crew, Mahdia (Movements Family), Matarkai CPG, Bartica Royals, Moruca Super Strikers, Queenstown (Ariel XI), Inevitable XI, Avinash All-Stars, and Essequibo Jaguars.
Adding to the excitement, admission to all venues throughout the tournament is free, and matches commence at 09:00 hours.
Beyond the bragging rights, significant financial rewards are also on offer. The zone champion will receive a handsome $300,000, while the runner-up will receive $100,000.
However, the stakes get even higher at the national final, where teams will vie for an additional $1.7 million grand prize.
The national runner-up will pocket $700,000 along with a trophy and medals, and even the losing semi-finalists will be rewarded with $300,000 each.
The national finals will be on Sunday, August 3, at the National Stadium, Providence.
Individual brilliance won’t go unnoticed either, with a host of prizes up for grabs, including MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-the-National Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy ($35,000).
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from: Kares Engineering Inc, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.