The Palmville Sports Promotions Group national pools championships will commence tomorrow with the winner of the Open male category set to receive a first prize of a whopping one million dollars.
This was disclosed by the group at a press conference to launch the tournament on Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports hall.
The competition, which runs until April 27, will be held in two categories, male and female with contestants having to be 18 years and over.
Competitors from Bartica, Essequibo, West Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Berbice, East Berbice, Linden and other areas throughout the country are expected to participate in the tournament.
The runner-up in the male category will receive $300, 000 while the third place prize is $200, 000.
In the female category the winner will receive $250, 000, with the first and second runners-up to receive $150, 000 and $100, 000 respectively.
In addition, there will be trophies for the respective winners.
President of the Palmville Sports Promotion group, Rawle Allicock,said the competition which will be held under the motto, “Blazin’ Trail in Sports Promotion”, will also serve as a launching pad for the group.
“The idea of a National Pools Championship served as the birth of the Palmville Sports Promotion Group. The idea of organizing pools to the point where it makes national recognition has inspired us to undertake this venture as tedious a task as it has been to date,” Allicock added.
The referee for the competition will be Marlon Pierson while there will also be a chief judge.
The tournament will be played at several venues around the country and consultant, Garfield Hoyte, who has organized and directed multiple, minor pools competitions in Linden, told Stabroek Sport that it had always been a vision for the sport to take a larger step in Guyana’s society.
Treasure, Colin Mc Ewan said that the rules for the competitions have been put in place to allow a smooth flow of the competition.
Entrance fee for the tournament is five thousand dollars and there is also a re-entry fee of two thousand dollars.
Re-entry will be possible for competitors at another venue before the closing date of the said venue.
Females will be allowed to compete in the male category in pursuit of the million dollar prize but males cannot enter the female category.
Competitors must be registered by way of form only and the forms will be available at the specified venues.
Tables and venues will be of competition standards.
Dress Code will be in effect at all venues (this is set for competitors only; no sleeveless tops, no short shirts, high-heeled shoes nor should any shoe of solid nature be worn by competitors.
The tournament dates and venues are as follows: Bartica – March 20 – 26 (Pharo’s Sports Bar), Essequibo – March 27 – 30 (Purple Heart Bar), West Coast Demerara – March 31 – April 6 (Winners Circle), Berbice – April 7 – 13 (Raj’s Pool Hall).
The finals will be held in the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on April 26 and 27 and admission will be free. (KB)
