Softball Cricket Association readies for 4th edition of Guyana Cup tournament

Oct 02, 2014 Sports

They have delivered the goods for three years on the trot, now the executives of the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) are getting ready for more gripping action when they stage the fourth edition of the Guyana Cup Softball Cricket tournament scheduled for October 31-November 2 at several venues around Georgetown and its environs.

Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony speaks at the Launch of the Guyana Cup Cricket tournament in the presence of officials.

Yesterday morning, the organizers convened at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground, Bourda and unveiled the details pertaining to the tournament. President of the host entity, Ramchand Ragbeer, likened the tournament to the World Cup version of its hardball equal and proudly stated that it had grown from strength to strength. He urged the participants to demonstrate discipline even amidst the competitiveness of the tournament.
“I look forward to a healthy game of cricket and vow to take this game to the highest level,” promised Mr. Ragbeer.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Frank Anthony, attended the function and delivered keynote remarks. He lauded the organizers for their shrewd planning and went further to encourage young people to get involved in the sport. Minister Anthony feels that cricket is ingrained in the Guyanese culture and further complimented the organizers for their skilful approach in transforming the sport in an organized way.
He urged the organizers to continue working so that the sport could be firmly infused into a Guyanese way of life. “You may wish to consider other innovations as you expand,” the Minister enthused. He suggested other side events including visits to heritage sites, exploring Georgetown and even organizing trips to the Kaieteur Falls. “There is much that Guyana could offer and you should take full advantage,” the Sports Minister urged.
Sponsorship has played an integral part in the successful staging of the tournament and several sponsors graced the event and wished the organizers well. Ansa McAL representative, Darshanie Yusuff said that her executives have given credence to the creative ploys of the organizers thus impressing the hierarchy of her firm. She said that the name of one of the teams, ‘Wild Oats,’ has surely sent the imagination racing and fans could almost visualize what lies ahead. “My boss, Ms Harper, was indeed excited when she accepted the opportunity to be a part of this tournament through sponsorship,” concluded Ms Yusuff.
Representative of Rubis Guyana, Ms Rhonda Johnson, wittingly stated,”Rubis Guyana is once again proud to be at the crease for another innings. She said that her company has been a part of the tournament in earlier editions and was impressed by the planning skills of the organizers and the subsequent crowd support. “To be honest, though, the pivotal reason why we are here once again is because the organizers has bowled the perfect delivery and yorked us,” she concluded.
Representative of another sponsoring entity, Survival Supermarket, Mark DeFreitas said that his bosses were also impressed and promptly reached out a corporate hand when requested. Survival Supermarket has donated two return airline tickets to Aruba for a lucky patron who will be known on the final night of the tournament.
The tradition will continue this year and will feature teams out of Florida, New York and Canada, joining their local counterparts. Matches will be played at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eveleary, Everest Cricket Club Ground, GCC, DCC, Ghandi Youth Organization Ground and Enmore and Enterprise Community Centre Grounds.
There will be lucrative prizes once again and the Men’s Open category will battle for the lion’s share of $1M, with the winners getting $800,000 and a trophy and the remainder going to the runners up along with a trophy.
The Masters category will see the team coming out on top getting $600,000 while the second place finishers receive$150,000. Both teams will also win trophies. Prizes will also be awarded to the top two players of the series and they win a beautiful gold and diamond bracelet compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.
Spectators will also be a part of the action and will be eligible to win large hampers and other lucrative prizes. Other sponsors of the tournament are GT&T, Rohan Auto Spares, Guyana Beverage Company, Clear Waters and Jiwanram Printery Inc.