…Exorbitant prizes expected to fuel performances

THE stakes are high and all the teams are raring to go when the men’s category of the One Guyana Unification softball extravaganza bowls off today at several venues around Georgetown and the East Coast, Demerara.

The exorbitant prizes, including a Toyota Vitz Car for the Legends Over-50 Most Valuable Player (MVP) and motorcycles for the MVPs in the Open and Masters categories, are unprecedented in the history of the sport in Guyana and are expected to fuel performances.

This was made possible through the efforts of title sponsors Regal Stationery & Computer Centre in conjunction with the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc, the Office of the President, Vice-president, Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport.

Following Tuesday’s launching and draw, held at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, some mouthwatering games are in store for today’s opening day.

In what is regarded as the “Group of Death,” in the Open Group B category, featuring Ariel Guyana Knight Riders, Speedboat and Regal All Stars, it promises to be a battle royale as only two of the teams will advance to Saturday’s semi-finals.

Ariel Guyana Knight Riders, who have only lost one game since their entry into the arena five years ago, start their campaign against Speedboat, the very team they surrendered last year’s Prime Minister’s Cup to, before rebounding to beat them in the Vice-president tournament a month later.

Following that morning game, there’s non-stop action with Ariel Guyana Knight Riders battling with Regal All Stars after lunch in what promises to be another intriguing affair. Team Double V make up the other team in Group B.

Group A comprises of Ephan X1, Tourism Guyana, Name Brand and Hyde Park All Stars.

The Over-50 Legends category also promises to be an exciting affair with the MVP prize being an added incentive. Two of the six participating teams, in contention, Regal Legends and New York Softball Cricket League (NYSC), the only overseas team, are once again in the forefront with the visitors coming out victorious when the two last met in New York in late June.

Regal Legends batting will be led by the pugnacious Uniss Yusuf and will be boosted by former Guyana Under-19 batsman Troy Gobin and debutant Richard Driffield while the Sahadeo brothers, Erapalli and Ravi, have been “thorn in the flesh” of Regal Legends over the years.

Not to be outdone are Berbice’s Jai Hind, who won last year’s Prime Minister’s Cup but lost to Regal Legends in their return clash in the Vice-president tournament. Former Guyana national player Vejai Seonarine is at the helm of the Berbice team.

On paper, Ariel Masters and Regal Masters are the teams expected to rule the roost in the Masters Over-40 Division with the former comprising the likes of Richard Latiff and Chien Gittens while Regal Masters will counter with the flambouyant Patrick Rooplall and Lennox Mark among others.

The winners of all three men’s categories will take home a whopping one million dollars, while the women’s winners will cart of $400,000.

The finals in all the categories are set for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda on Sunday. (Frederick Halley)