Everest Cricket Club launches inaugural Speaker’s Int’l Softball Cup

Feb 07, 2021 Sports

By Zaheer Mohamed

Members of the ECC and sponsors at the launching ceremony of the Speaker’s Cup.

President of the ECC and speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir addresses the gathering.

The Everest Cricket Club on Friday night launched the inaugural Speaker’s Cup International softball cricket tournament. This competition is scheduled to be staged from April 2-4 and will be played in the over 45 and Over 50 categories.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Speaker of the National Assembly and President of the Everest Cricket Club, Manzoor Nadir, said that the game of softball cricket has become very popular and contributes to physical fitness. Nadir recalled the hype GTT softball tournament brought to the sport and said the younger people need to be aware of the functions of the state.
“The state has three important arms; The Executive, headed by the President; The Judiciary, headed by the Chancellor; and the Legislature, headed by the Speaker. As part of bringing the Legislature closer to the people, we have to go on an information campaign. What I envisage is that we can engage with the children, we can be more prevalent on social media, we can inform the public through the media and working through sport to promote awareness and cohesion.”
“I spoke with the ECC Executive to look at formats of the game where we could attract even during COVID a large audience and so what was envisaged by the ECC was that we host a Speaker’s T20 competition, starting in December and concluding in March. We were prepared to be part of the sponsorship, but due to constant rainfall and covid restrictions it has been a challenge for clubs to maintain their grounds, so we were unable to get that competition off the ground. However, that tournament is still on the cards.”
Nadir added that many sponsors have pledged their support and indicated that he is prepared to commit the resources to make the tournament takes place for the next four years. He lauded the Executive and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall for his input in sports over the years.
Prakash Balgobin an executive member of the ECC said the tournament is being held in collaboration with Mr. Nadir and it has attracted 16 teams including six from overseas. “Attractive cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the winners and runners-up of both categories, while the man-of-the-match in each game as well as the player-of-the tournament will be rewarded.”
The final will be played at Everest CC and will conclude with a bar-be-cue and lime as part of the club’s fund-raising efforts and all of the established COVID-19 protocols will apply. “This international competition will be the third of its kind complementing the Prime Minister’s Cup and the President’s Cup which is slated for March.”
First class umpire Ryan Banwarie said the umpires for the tournament will be provided by the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association. He informed that to be eligible for the Over-45 category, a player must be born in the year 1976, or celebrate his 45th birthday on December 3rd. And to contest the Over-50 category, a player must be born in the year 1971 or earlier, or celebrate his birthday by the 31st December 2021.
Banwarie relayed that the games will be played under the supervision of a match referee, and in the case of rain, the Duck worth Lewis System applies.
Anil Beharry of Everest Masters congratulated the ECC and spoke about the unity the game brings to the community. Safraz Sheriffudeen CEO of V Net Communications and an executive member of the ECC thanked all stakeholders and said they are looking forward to a successful tournament.

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