GT&T Chief Executive Officer Yog Mahadeo yesterday said that the GT&T 10/10 Softball Cricket Competition finals will be based on giving back to the fans with millions of dollars to be won and an after-games concert.
The tournament which started in January with 1224 teams is now in its final stage. Chief Financial Officer Royston Rachpaul described it as a “fantastic tournament” as he welcomed the media to a press briefing hosted in the GT&T canteen.
In his address, the CEO said it is exciting that the plans envisioned two years ago have now come to fruition, with the investment of $30M. He told Stabroek Sport that when 584 teams registered in 2010 he challenged the managing staff to double the teams and he’d double the money which ended with 1224 teams registering. “Every village, every community, to me even every business has now registered a team to play 10/10 cricket and I tell you what, it’s not about the money it’s about the sport, it’s about having a fun time, its about family and this is what GT&T is all about,” Mahadeo said.
He also noted that GT&T caters for everyone, “We have such a wonderful group of Guyanese from different backgrounds that makes a good gather of a crowd in any one place and Sunday we will cater for all of those.” He also promised that “millions of dollars will be given away on Sunday,” when action gets underway at 9.30am. The gates will open to the public from 8am. Semi-final matches will be played throughout the day, with breaks in between matches to facilitate promotional activities. The formal closing ceremony will then start at 6pm with the arrival of President Bharrat Jagdeo. Mahadeo, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony who is then expected to deliver an address, organiser Carmachand Rambarran said. Jagdeo will then bowl the first ball to start the finals for both the men’s and women’s competition.
In addition, Hits and Jams Entertainment representative Kerwin Bollers said the much-anticipated after concert will start around 10pm. Another representative, Simeon Francis urged the public to cooperate with the Guyana Police Force which will be manning security procedures. He also said that glass bottles are strictly prohibited from the Stadium.
In response to a query about whether or not the concert will detract from the purpose of the game itself, Mahadeo said the company had discussed this issue and had concluded that fans who followed the 1224 teams will in fact have an opportunity to win millions of dollars. “We see a lot of things in the ground that will be entertainment and of cricket value and development value, so I think it will be standing on its own feet,” he added.
The quarterfinals of the games were played yesterday at the Everest Cricket Ground.
