Beverage giants pumping over $1.3m
By Calvin Roberts
The second Guyana National Dominoes Federation (GNDF)/ Banks DIH sponsored nationwide Kazak tournament was launched in the boardroom of the sponsors yesterday to the tune of $1.3m.
The tournament will have a first prize of $300,000.00, a trophy, nine (9) medals and six (6) cases Kazak Vodka.
At the brief ceremony, president of the GNDF, Robert Williams, expressed his federation’s gratitude to the sponsors with regard to the event.
“The GNDF wishes to express its gratitude at the competence and collaborative effort put in by Banks DIH with regards to the staging of this competition which is now in its second year. Banks DIH has been playing a key role in the development of dominoes since 1978 when it sponsored its first international tournament and ever since then they have been a playing a vital role with the GNDF in the interest of dominoes here in Guyana,” Williams added.
”Ever since 1978 when the first international domino tournament was held, Banks DIH has been a strong supporter and now is no different with this second Kazak tournament. Their contribution is unselfish which allows domino players around the country the opportunity to participate in prestigious competitions,” Williams declared.
Liquor Sales manager of the sponsors, Dwain Bristol, also expressed his delight at the partnership between GNDF and Banks DIH and vowed to ensure that such a partnership goes beyond this tournament.
“We at Banks DIH are very pleased to be associated with the GNDF and would like to let them know that we are there for them throughout this tournament and beyond,” Bristol stated.
The competition which was first staged in 2006 was won by Bluebirds of Georgetown.
This year, the tournament will be played on a zonal basis with 15 zones comprising of nine teams each.
Georgetown has been divided into four zones, with East Coast (3), West Demerara (2) and Linden, Bartica, Essequibo, Leguan, Charity, West Berbice and Lethem one (1) each.
The runners-up will receive $200,000.00, a trophy, nine (9) medals and five (5) cases of Kazak Vodka whilst the third place winner will receive the same amount of medals, four (4) cases of Kazak Vodka and $100,000.00.
Fourth to sixth placd finishers will receive $75,000.00, $50,000.00 and $25,000.00 along with a trophy. They will also be the beneficiary of three, two, and one case of Kazak Vodka respectively, whilst each zone winner will receive $15,000.00 and three cases of Kazak Vodka with the second and third placed finishers receiving two and one case of Kazak Vodka respectively.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the playoffs and the female MVP will receive $10,000.00, trophy and one (1) case Kazak Vodka whilst the MVP of the finals will receive $15,000.00, trophy and one (1) case Kazak Vodka respectively.
Entrance fee per team that must consist of nine players is $4,000.00 which will see each team receiving one large bottle Kazak Vodka and a pack of dominoes, compliments of the sponsors. Only Kazak dominoes will be used throughout the tournament and this will be supplied by the sponsors.
For further information, teams who are interested in participating can contact Williams (623-4290 or 225-3314), Organizing Secretary of the GNDF Wendell Mc Pherson (617-1664) and Bristol (225-0916).
The competition will kick start on Saturday in West Demerara with one of the two zones at Frankie’s Shop.
