GCB/Tropical Spring T20 Over 40 Tourney launched

Nov 21, 2020 Sports

Sponsor promise to continue support in 2021

By Sean Devers

GCB officials, team representatives along with officials of the sponsors at yesterday’s launch of the over40 Tropical Spring cricket tournament.

The Guyana Cricket Board has collaborated with Tropical Spring for its T20 Over-40 Tournament which bowls today from 09:30 hours at three venues in each of Guyana’s three counties.
Lalta Gainda, who is expected to turn out for Bel-Air Rubis Ultra Tec, said Tropical Spring is a Company owned by his wife and himself. “Today I am wearing the Cap of Sponsor and Tropical Spring has been a long-time supporter of softball cricket but this is the first time we have sponsored a Hard Ball competition. I am proud to be associated with this tournament and I commit to being the sponsor again next year,” promised Gainda, who in his younger days was good batsman for Everest.
At Everest, pre-tournament Everest Masters will face-off with West Demerara Masters from 09:30 hrs, while the afternoon game in the City will see KV Construction Masters opposing Regal Masters from 13:45 hrs.
At Enmore on the East Coast, West Demerara Masters will battle RP construction Legends in the morning game, while Sand Pipper Masters will come up against Bel Air Rubis in the afternoon encounter.
The Berbice Zone will see General Marine Maters taking on Jai Hind Master in the morning game before Sarjoo Tigers face West Berbice Masters at the Jai Hind ground. No games will be played in the Essequibo zone today.
The tournament will be the first competition since the GCB was forced to halt its cricket activities in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
GCB’s Secretary Anand Sanasie said they opted for an over-40 tournament to mark the return of cricket after an almost nine-month absence from the field due to the pandemic because this age-group would be more responsible and should set a positive example for the other remaining tournaments planned for the year.
“As a consequence, the players of the GCB Tropical Spring T20 Over 40 Tournament, will have both the privilege and responsibility to engage in a tournament being used to facilitate a smooth return to cricket and other outdoor sporting activities,” Sanasie added.
Territorial Development Officer of the GCB former West Indies pacer Colin Stuart explained the main aim of the National Over 40 Tournament is bringing former experienced players back to the cricket environment and thereby serving as an impetus for their involvement in relevant facets of the administration of the game, inclusive of coaching and mentorship.
The tournament, which involves 16 teams, will have eight teams in Demerara competing for four quarter final places, four Essequibo teams battling for two quarter final places and four rival teams representing the Berbice location, competing for two quarter –final places.
The preliminary round of matches will commence today, Saturday 21 November 2020 and conclude on Saturday 5 December 2020. The Quarter-Finals will be held on the Sunday 6 December 2020, the Semi-Finals on Friday 11 December 2020 and the Final on Saturday 12 December 2020.
The GCB is grateful to the Ministry of Health and the COVID-19 Task force for seeing it fit to grant approval to return to cricket activity.
The GCB is urging the players and officials to assist in ensuring that there is strict adherence to the protocols with respect to the COVID-19 measures.
Cricket was allowed to return with no spectators and no Bars at any of the venues.
The GCB is grateful to the Ministry of Health and COVID-19 Task Force for seeing it fit to grant approval to return to cricket activity.
The GCB extended gratitude to its T20 Over 40 sponsor, Tropical Spring and is proud to be collaborating with Tropical Spring and wished the entity increased productivity with their business.
The GCB is also grateful to the individual sponsors of the many teams that are a part of this tournament and wishes them all success in their endeavours.
The tournament promises to be exciting and will witness the 16 teams competing for a first prize of $250,000 and a runner’s prize of $100,000.
The teams: Essequibo
Reliance Sports Club
Invaders Masters
Imam Bacchus Over 40
Jaguars Over 40
Demerara
West Demerara Masters
West Demerara Mavericks
Everest Masters
Regal Masters
KV Construction Masters
RP Construction Legends
Sand Pipper Masters
Bel-Air Rubis Ultra Tec
Berbice Representative Teams
General Marine Masters
Jai Hind Masters
Sarjoo Tigers
West Berbice Masters