The Rose Hall Town and Youth Sports Club (RHTYSC), on Thursday launched its annual Busta Champion of Champions limited overs cricket tournament at the Guyana Beverages Company office at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
Sponsored under the Busta brand, the event is in its seventh year and is regarded by some as one of the more popular cricket events in Guyana.
At the launching, the RHTYSC CEO/Secretary Hilbert Foster commended the beverage company for continuing its dedication to sport.
He added that the event this year will also mark the seventh year of a special relationship between the club and the Guyana Beverage Company.
However, in light of the worldwide economic crisis the tournament was forced to deal with a reduced budget but the tournament will still be played.
“Even if the budget was cut by three-quarters we still would’ve run off the tournament because our aim is not about money it is about the players,” Foster stated.
Foster explained that subsequently some of the regular features that accompany the tournament will not be implemented this time, particularly the cricket commentary for the finals.
Additionally the individual participating clubs will be expected to bear the cost incurred to transport the players to and from the games, while the organizers are expected to stand the cost of the umpires and balls.
Representing the GBC, General Manger Robert Selman, said that the company was pleased to sponsor an event controlled by a committee that displayed good organizational standards.
While the sponsorship will experience a tight budget this time around due to losses the company has suffered, Selman stated that he is confident the company will be completely “back on board come 2011.”
The tournament, as is customary, will consist of eight teams, namely the Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets, West Berbice, Blairmont, Bermine, Young Warriors, Police, Rose Hall Canje and Pout Mourant.
Matches will be played on a knockout basis and each team will be receiving coloured T-shirts.
The winning team in the tournament will receive $80,000 while $40,000 will be given to the second place team. Cash prizes will also be presented to the Man-of-the- Finals, Best Batsman, Best Bowler, and Best All-rounder of the tournament.
Though the fixture for the matches has already been finalized, no official commencement date has been settled on as the Organizing Committee is awaiting a break in the inclement weather in Berbice.
The Organizing Committee, however, said it was looking towards having the tournament completed by early August.
