The sixth annual Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) organized Guyana Beverage Company Incorporated/Busta (GBC) sponsored 50-overs-a-side cricket festival was launched to the tune of $1.3m in the GBC boardroom yesterday.
Speaking at the simple ceremony, president of the ECB and vice president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Alvin Johnson told those gathered, including marketing manager of GBC, Shameiza Yadram and other ECB executives, how pleased the members of his board were to be associated once again with the GBC and Busta in this competition.
“I am extremely pleased to be associated with Busta who has continued to be our best sponsor, honoring our request from time to time, and this year’s competition will take on a different format compared to last year’s competition.”
Johnson said that at the conclusion of last year’s tournament, the possibility of expanding this year’s tournament was discussed with Selman and later agreed by the sponsors.
“This expansion has been granted as the competition will be played over five days than the regular three. We have also moved from one central location that is on the Essequibo Coast, and we are going into the various area committees. The only committee that will not have a match being played there is Bartica and this is due to its geographical location,” Johnson stated.
In response, Selman congratulated the ECB on the efficient way in which they have organized and co-ordinated the previous five tournaments.
“If I did not have the confidence in the ECB on the way they have handled the smooth running off of this competition, I would not have been sponsoring this tournament for so long. I must say thanks to Mr. Johnson and his executives for the efficient way in which they have run off the competition over the past five years.”
Selman further stated, “I am happy to know that more teams will be involved in this year’s competition, which will give many persons the opportunity to see some cricket, whilst at the same time show to the people that we at Guyana Beverages Company are giving back to the community in a tangible way.”
“GBC will continue to partner with the ECB and to this effect, we will be pumping over $1.5m into next year’s tournament and even if I am not around, my hardworking marketing executive will ensure that my promise made here today is fulfilled. We will always continue to support Essequibo when they are down and when they are up, as they have continued to support us without failure.”
Selman also broached the idea of having a Twenty20 competition played between the four top teams in next year’s tournament prior to the running off of the finals, an idea which was readily agreed to by Johnson and a few of his executives who were present.
This year, the teams which will be outfitted with Busta brand jerseys are divided into two zones, with Pomeroon, North, South and Central Essequibo contesting zone A, while Bartica, Wakenaam, Leguan and East Bank Essequibo will fight for honors in zone B.
The two top teams from the two zones will face each other in the semifinals which will be played at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) and Queenstown Community grounds respectively, with the zone A champions taking on zone B’s runners-up, while the zone B champions will take on the zone A runners-up.
The final is slated to be held at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground on August 31, but should the ground which is undergoing preparations for the staging of a few Carifesta events not be in a position to host the finals, the organizers have declared the NOC or Queenstown ground as their reserve alternative.
South Essequibo are the defending champions in the tournament which is set to commence tomorrow with matches in zones A and B being played simultaneously.