DESIGNED as the main domestic catalyst for the mobility of players to the senior level, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), in collaboration with Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited, yesterday officially launched its prestigious Inter-county Under-19 tournaments.
This sponsorship will cover both forms of the game played at this level, namely the one-day 50-overs and three-day championships.
Hand-in-Hand sponsorship, the second of its kind, comes at a opportune time, as the GCB continues its formidable cricket structure, which is geared at creating fair play, discipline, competitiveness, commitment, professionalism and excellence.
To attain such a valuable cricket model, the GCB requires the support and sponsorship of reliable and trusted partners. As a consequence, Hand-in-Hand fits that role perfectly.
The significance of sponsorship cannot be underestimated, since this tournament has contributed immensely; for a number of players have gone on to play for the West Indies at both youth and senior levels.
Names such as Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Andre Percival, Reon King, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Colin Stuart, Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Leon Johnson and more recently Vishaul Singh and Shimron Hetmyer are all products of such an esteemed tournament.
At the launching ceremony held at the Company’s head office, Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, GCB secretary Anand Sanasie told the gathering that the sponsorship is clearly an invaluable one, since it will enable the junior selectors to appropriately select the best possible squad to represent Guyana at the regional tournaments.
Sanasie also indicated that the tournaments will also enable the selectors to add players to the pool of emerging players.
Sanasie thanked Hand-in-Hand for its continued support, and expressed confidence for a long-term relationship between the two bodies.
The entity’s Fire Director, Howard Cox explained that they are happy to be on board and look forward to having a successful competition.
Hand-in-Hand has been involved in cricket for many years. “We were very pleased how things went last year and happy to continue our sponsorship and association with the board,” Cox said.
Cox pointed out that while the GCB has its detractors, the results over the last few years at all levels are commendable.
The tournaments will also include a fourth team, that of the Select Under-17. The one-day format of the tournament is scheduled to bowl off on Monday May 29.