… Eight teams to battle for supremacy
THE seventh annual Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC)-organised, Guyana Beverages Company (GBC)-sponsored Busta Champion of Champions knockout competition was launched last Thursday at the GBC’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara headquarters. Despite the economic challenges the world has faced over the past year, managing director of GBC, Robert Selman, said his company was committed to the tournament so they had to reduce the budget.
Secretary/CEO of the RHTYSC, Hilbert Foster, said they were very appreciative of the committed stance the company took to still run with the tournament which is looked forward to by the top clubs in the Ancient County.
With a top prize of $80 000 at stake and half that amount set aside for the loser of the final, competition is expected to start as soon as the current inclement weather improves, with RHT Gizmos and Gadgets facing Bermine at the Area ‘H’ Ground.
In other first round matches, West Berbice will travel to face host team Blairmont, Port Mourant will entertain Police while Young Warriors oppose Rose Hall Canje at the Canje Ground.
As is customary with the running-off of this tournament, all the teams along with the umpires will be presented with coloured T-shirts. The organisers will also foot the bill for the umpires and tournament balls, with the teams being responsible this year for their own transportation to and from matches. Radio commentary for the final will be aired.
The best batsman, bowler and all-rounder of the tournament as well as the player of the final will all receive cash prizes. Both the organiser and the sponsor have expressed their confidence that next year’s tournament will be a better one, with the return of full sponsorship.
Selman in his remarks stated that 2010 has not been a bright year for the parent company, S M Jaleel in Trinidad and Tobago, as a huge fire saw the company suffer millions of dollars in damage.
“Nevertheless, we have still tried and come up to continue sponsoring the champion of champions in Berbice but come 2011, I guarantee that we will be back to normal because things are moving back up to normal in T&T.”
Selman informed the media that his company has full confidence in the administration of the organising club, that’s why they continue to partner with the club.
“This club is a model that people should look at and see how they organise their programmes and conduct themselves and if they take one page from this club they can improve the way they operate.
“Guyana Beverage Company has a proud legacy of sponsoring cricket and other sports including football throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, including the East Coast, Wakenaam, Linden and Bartica and we love to give back to the people of Guyana, in whatever little it is.”
The Managing Director took a swipe at some organisers who are not professional pointing out that the company had to withdraw from sponsoring a competition in Bartica due to poor organising.
It was also disclosed that the tournament would be launched at the company’s new Berbice Branch which will be constructed shortly.
“Because of the support from the people of Berbice of our brands we are growing and are very thankful for that, hence we are going to highlight our company in a bigger and better way in the Ancient County.”
Meanwhile, the RHTYSC has run off over 100 projects for the year so far, with many more to come including their annual summer cricket academy.