The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) launched the third Pepsi/Carib Inter-County Twenty20 tournament yesterday at its headquarters on Regent Road.
This year’s round robin tournament will feature four teams and will commence on Friday at the Guyana National Stadium.
The three counties, Demerara, defending champions Berbice, and Essequibo, and the Rest Team will vie for $500,000 in cash and other incentives.
According to Marketing Manager of the GCB, Ramsey Ali the two companies have ploughed approximately $2.8 million into the tournament.
Ali also stated that patrons will not have to pay to enter the venue for the six preliminary games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday but will be required to pay $500 for the final and third place matches on December 10.
All matches will start at 15:00 and 19:00 hours at the stadium.
President of the GCB Chetram Singh, in his brief statement, said that the importance of the tournament “cannot be underestimated.” According to Singh the Board is looking to have the best possible team compete in the second Caribbean T20 tournament next January in Antigua and Barbados.
Singh said that he wants Guyana to defend their title and once again be able to compete in next year’s Airtel Champions’ League. He believes that next year’s Regional tournament will be harder with the introduction of English teams Somerset and Hampshire.
Therefore, he added, it would be vital for the national cricketers to be ready for the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile Brand Manager of Pepsi at Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Alexis Crawford said that the company was pleased to be on board with the tournament once again and urged the public to come out in their numbers to support the teams.
