RISING Stars rose to the challenge to emerge winners of the women’s category when the inaugural One Guyana Unification Cup softball tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), in conjunction with title sponsors Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, ended at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda on Sunday.
The win earned the girls from Parika, East Bank, Essequibo $400, 000 and the Trophy Stall sponsored trophy while the runners-up Number 64 Knight Riders had to settle for $100,000 and a trophy. The original prize money of $300,000 was increased through the generosity of New York-based Guyanese Reshma Mathura.

Led by fine unbeaten half-centuries from Ackeela Stephen who’s 67 was decorated with four fours and six sixes and Vena Garraway, who struck four fours and an equal number of sixes in 57, Rising Stars reached a challenging 193 for three in their allotted 15 overs.

In reply, the Berbicians were restricted to 152 for three in their 15 despite 57 from the consistent Tina Ganie and 47 from skipper Jenefa Kewley.
Linda Stephen of Rising Stars, the lone centurion (101 not out on the opening day), took home the Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize of the category – one living room suite and a bicycle, compliments of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport while her cousin Ackeela Stephen was named Player of the final and was awarded with a trophy.

Meanwhile, Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. and Steven Jacobs, who delivered brief remarks during the interval, urged the organisers to ensure they make full use of the four new stadiums across the country which are due to be officially open later this year.

Minister Ramson also urged the tournament’s organisers and players to consider: rotating the finals around the country in order to broaden the tournament’s reach and impact.

Apart from Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, the other main sponsors on board included Ramesh Sunich’s Trophy Stall which donated all the trophies, General Marine, Price Shopper Variety, Chung’s Global, ARD Youtuber (Danny Persaud), Crown Mining Supplies, Ansy and Amrit Furniture Store, INS Trading, Lakhram Singh Contracting Services, Rajiv Gandhi University, Blue Spring Water, Ofimak Office & Furnishings (Panama) and HL Latino America (Panama). (Frederick Halley)