Jam Zone Masters Cup not given WICB approval

Aug 15, 2012 Sports

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Hits & Jams calls off event

Kerwin Bollers of the Hits and Jams Entertainment had said yesterday that he is hoping for a last minute solution to save the much anticipated second annual Hits & Jams Masters Cup t20 Cricket tournament set for Friday and Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium as part of the 2012 Jam Zone programme. However, the Promotions Group was forced to put out a statement announcing the cancellation of the tournament.
In the statement late last evening, The Hits and Jams Group said, “(It)…regrets to inform cricket fans and the public that it has been forced to postpone the staging of this year’s Master’s Cup Tournament which was scheduled to begin this weekend. Our decision is as a result of the ongoing conflict which has resulted in all cricket in Guyana not being played.”
“The Hits and Jams Group, which was in negotiation with the WICB and the GCB and all other partners including sponsors, was hoping that the issues surrounding the hosting of the Masters Cup Tournament would have been resolved in time for this weekend’s staging of the T20 competition. Hits and Jams has since informed the International cricketers who were contracted for the tournament of our decision.”
“HJ remains committed to the growth and development of cricket and all other entertainment and sporting activities in Guyana and we look forward to continue playing our part in that development. We will continue to work along with the West Indies cricket administrators in the future as we have given our commitment to the hosting of the tournament.”
This is after the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) yesterday informed their territorial boards that this year’s Hits and Jams tournament has not been approved and stated that players who take part may face possible sanctions.
“We wish to advise that the Hits and Jams Masters Tournament in Guyana has not been approved by the WICB. Hence this tournament is an unsanctioned tournament and all players who participate may face possible sanctions as outlined in the attached document,” the letter from WICB Manager of Operations, Roland Holder said.
“Should you be aware of any players from your territory who are likely to participate in the above mentioned tournament kindly advise them of the above.
Should you have any questions or concerns about this, please feel free to contact me at +1 268 481-2454 or [email protected]”, the WICB correspondence continued.
The inaugural tournament last year attracted the region’s top t20 players and were contested before sold out crowds on both nights and this year the world’s leading t20 opener Chris Gayle was again expected to headline the competition.
Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith and Sulieman Benn were also expected to be on show as defending champions Universal DVD Club Berbice Titans put their title on the line against the Hits and Jams Spartans, Georgetown King’s XI and the Hotel Tower New Line Cavaliers.
The first prize is $2 million and Bollers said the decision by the WICB not to sanction this year’s competition after doing so last year is a big disappointment for the players, organisers and fans.
The second Test between West Indies and Australia was moved from Providence earlier this year following a dispute between the WICB and the Guyana Government who installed an interim management committee (IMC) to manage cricket in Guyana in place of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) which is still recognised by the WICB.
While neither the GCB nor IMC has done much for the improvement of the situation of cricket in Guyana this year, Bollers insisted that the Hits and Jams tournament is not interested in politics but in providing top standard cricket as a part of their Jam Zone entertainment package especially at a time when not much high-level cricket is being played in Guyana.
“Last year we had a wonderful tournament which added sports to our Jam Zone events for the first time. After last year’s overwhelming success and the commitment of the region’s premier cricketers again we were anticipating another mega cricket competition filled with pulsating action on both nights,” Bollers said.
“We at Hits and Jams Entertainment are committed to providing the highest quality of entertainment every Summer and the Master’s Cup Cricket proved a huge hit last year and we are still doing everything possible to get the competition sanctioned since a lot has already been invested and the players are all eager to compete,” Bollers had said earlier yesterday.
Bollers noted, “Last year Sean Devers did an excellent job in organising the first ever Master’s Cup competition for us and we were looking forward to him doing the same again this year. However we know Sean is not too well and needs brain Surgery as soon as possible so we were planning to maybe have donations for him done by fans on the night of the final. So everybody is going to be affected…”
Last year the GCB had written the WICB seeking permission to stage two fund raising T20 cricket festivals with “The Masters’ Cup”, held on the 12th and 14th August 2011 and done in partnership with “Hits and Jams Entertainment” promotion company along with other commercial sponsorships, being the first of the two.
The WICB Director of Cricket Tony Howard in his reply from the WICB wrote; “We refer to your letter received by email, of today’s date July 26th 2011, seeking approval from the WICB for the above captioned tournaments.  You are asked especially to note your obligations as set out in Section 6, under the conditions of approval.
The WICB is pleased to approve the events and wish the Guyana Cricket Board success in the organization and execution of these events.  The WICB also notes your intention that these events will form part of the annual calendar of cricket in Guyana.”

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