Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
May 15, 2009 Sports
Just over a week after launching the Kool Kidz Cricket Championships in Berbice, the Guyana Beverage Company Ltd (GBCL) has acquiesced to another sponsorship deal, this time, the Busta 40 Overs Cricket Competition, scheduled to bowl off at the Bartica Secondary School Ground on Sunday, May 17.
At a press conference convened yesterday morning at his Company’s Diamond East Bank Demerara Headquarters, Managing Director of the Guyana Beverage Company, Robert Selman, handed over a check to representative of the Bartica Cricket Committee, Roland Persaud, moments after endorsing his Company’s support for the tournament. President of the Bartica Cricket Committee, Edward Skeete and Marketing Manager of the said committee, Bish Panday were also present at the ceremony.
Mr Selman admitted that his executives had not considered sponsorship activities in Bartica when they were discussing the Company’s input in these matters for the fiscal year. “Nevertheless, I took a unilateral decision and drafted them into the mix because I know that my colleagues in Trinidad and Tobago trust my judgment,” the beverage boss said.
He also noted that since setting up shop in Guyana, some 14 years ago, he has enjoyed fruitful interactions with the Guyanese people. “Indeed my Company values this relationship and we find it difficult to turn away requests for corporate support,” he said. However, the beverage boss disclosed that even though he is prepared to assist in the promotion of local sports events, he would not approve functions that are organized for personal gain. “There must be an emphasis on youth development,” he said.
Selman further underlined the benefits that the Busta Beverage Company has derived since arriving in Guyana. He said that one of the organization’s customers had started out purchasing just about fifteen hundred cases of Busta soft drinks each month. “Now this customer sells in excess of 25,000 cases per week,” he revealed. “The GBCL started out very small but thanks to the support of the Guyanese people we can stand up among the other beverage giants,” Selman said.
He also said that the high level of sales was a true reflection of the support rendered by Guyanese. “As such my company feels a sense of obligation to the Guyanese public, hence our support to youth development,” Selman concluded.
Earlier, Mr. Skeete thanked Selman for the corporate intervention offered by his company. He said that during his tenure as a cricket administrator he had sought, but did not receive sponsorship of this magnitude. He also said that the chivalry extended by the GBCL was tangible enough and allowed the organizers of the tournament to host a more competitive tournament.
“The level of support received in the past only facilitated a knockout format but now we can have the round robin format,” Skeete said. “We are so grateful for this support that we promise to promote the use of your products in our community so that business can be enhanced,” Skeete assured Selman.
The GBCL donation covers the balls, umpire fees, as well as the winner’s prize of $20,000 and a trophy plus the runner’s up purse of $15,000. There will also be a $5,000 prize for the batsman that scores the most runs, $5,000 for the bowler that takes the most wickets and $5,000 for the man-of-the-match in the final encounter.
Organizers also disclosed that there would be a raffle as well as prizes for schoolchildren.
Six teams, placed in two groups, would be vying for honours. Hampshire, Orient and Bartica Cavaliers form Group 1, while Rising Stars, New Uprising and Over 40 Cricket Club form the other group. All matches would be played on Sundays at the Bartica Secondary School and the Bartica Community Centre Grounds in a tournament scheduled to run for twelve weeks.
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