IN a significant boost for Guyana’s burgeoning tapeball scene, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has thrown his weight behind the upcoming third edition of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, promising a major expansion in scope and participation.
The tournament, which commences June 28 in Berbice, is set to explode onto the cricket calendar with an unprecedented 80 teams vying for glory — a remarkable leap from previous years.
Spanning various zones from Berbice to Georgetown, the event aims to showcase local talent and bring communities together to celebrate the fast-paced sport.
President Ali met with the tournament’s organisers at State House to discuss their plans. He reaffirmed his support and praised the organisers’ efforts to boost community engagement.
The tournament will be held in Berbice Zone from June 28 to 29; East Bank/West Demerara Zone from July 5 to 6; Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone from July 19 to 20; Essequibo Zone from July 26 to 27; and Championship Finals from August 3 to August 3, National Stadium, Providence.
Meanwhile, registration for the third edition is underway, and based on the enthusiastic response, FL Sport anticipates reaching its target of 80 participating teams soon.
The team limit for each zone, except for the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara zone, is 16.
Some zones may be extended beyond 16.
The Georgetown/East Coast Demerara zone can accommodate up to 32 teams.
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast boasts a lucrative prize structure to reward zonal success and national championship aspirations.
The winning team from each zone will pocket GY$300,000 and earn automatic qualification for the national finals.
The ultimate national champion will be awarded a staggering GY$1.7 million, while the national runners-up will receive GY$700,000.
The two losing semi-finalists will each receive GY$300,000, and the losing finalists at the zonal level will also receive GY$100,000 each.
Individual player performances are also significantly incentivized with attractive cash prizes and awards:
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive GY$150,000 and a motorcycle.
Prizes of GY$100,000 are designated for the players with the Most Runs and Most Wickets.
The Player-of-the-Final at the Nationals will earn GY$75,000.
GY$35,000 will go to the Super Striker and the player with the Best Economy rate.
Some of these impressive prizes will also include custom-made trophies and televisions, adding to the prestige of individual achievements.