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NBS pumps $936,800 into GCA cricket…40-over 2nd division tourney to start Saturday
By Sean Devers
The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) yesterday received a cheque valued $936,800 for the staging of its second division 40-overs competition which is scheduled to commence on Saturday with six matches in the City.
Speaking before a high-level Head table with included, NBS Chairman Dr Nanda Gopaul, NBS Director Moen McDoom, NBS CEO Ahmad Khan, GCA President Roger Harper, GCA Vice-President Neil Barry and NBS New Amsterdam branch Manager and former Berbice left-handed all-rounder Anil Beharry, Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony congratulated the GCA for organising the competition and NBS for sponsoring it.
NBS’s CEO Ahmad Khan hands over the sponsorship cheque to GCA’s Secretary Deborah McNichol at NBS’s spanking new Head office yesterday, while GCA and NBS officials along with Dr Frank Anthony (partly hidden centre) look on.
Dr Anthony said that NBS must be commended for investing in the 14-team tournament at a time when the recent challenges in local cricket has prevented many businesses from getting involved in the sport.
The Minister said that it was heartening to see cricket being organized locally after a lull in the sport, adding that cricket was very important to Guyanese as a people. “When we do well on the cricket field we forget so many other things since cricket defines us as a people,” Anthony said.
The politician praised the structure of the competition and opined that very often emphasis is not placed on the developmental aspects of the game when local tournaments are held.
The Minister also told the gathering that his Ministry has acquired a tractor and ‘slashers’ to be sent to the various Regions and promised whatever help his Ministry could provide for the grounds in Georgetown.
Dr Anthony also had more good news for the City clubs when he disclosed that $100 Million was budgeted last year by Government to assist in the development of grounds and informed that the money is in a fund from which clubs can access grants for work on their grounds.
Harper, a former West Indies Vice-Captain, said the GCA will discuss this news at their next meeting and thanked NBS for partnering them for the 40-over competition.
Harper said, what most impressed the GCA about its discussions with NBS, was their willingness to sponsor a second division competition showing that they wanted to help develop Georgetown’s cricket by supporting the game at the grass roots level.
“Many seem to think the interest and flair is in first division cricket and are not too keen to get involved in competitions at the lower levels. Our aim is to take cricket in the City to a higher level and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with NBS,” Harper said.
The former Test Off-spinner added that corporate Citizens should be encouraged by NBS and feels that sports can be used for positive change to make Guyana a better place.
Dr Gopaul performed the duties of Master of Ceremonies and disclosed that NBS will provide a special prize for the reporter who provides the best coverage throughout the competition. He informed that Clive Lloyd will head the selection team for that prize.
McDoom said when NBS received the request letter from the GCA and saw the caliber of people on their Executive, the Bank felt it was the time to get into the act of sponsoring especially since it was already sponsoring similar competitions in Berbice and Essequibo.
“As a good Corporate Citizen we feel it is our duty to assist in the rebuilding of West Indies cricket so that we could get back to the glory days we once knew,” McDoom told those gathered at the new and beautifully constructed NBS head office.
Barry said that once again bonus points will be awarded to inspire higher standards and said that like all GCA competitions the emphasis will be on developing fast bowlers who must bowl at least 40% of the total overs in an innings.
Barry added that a fine of $15,000 will have to be paid for teams who fail to turn up for matches and the Captain of teams which fail to submit match reports to the GCA by two weeks after the match will be banned for two matches.
Defending GCA second division 40-0vers champions GNIC along with DCC, MSC and Everest are the seeded teams.
Fingers are now crossed for good weather this weekend and in the first round GCC host Third Class, Everest are at home to Vikings and GYO face GCC at Bourda in zone ‘A’ with GDF drawing the bye.
In Zone ‘B’ DCC and TSC clash at DCC, MSC host UG and MYO battle Police at MYO with Ace Warriors drawing the bye.
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