The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Wednesday presented cheques to local clubs involved in the Regional Super50 competition which Guyana hosted from October 19-29 last year.
GCB Cricket Operations Officer Robin Singh in making the presentations, apologized for the delay which he said was caused by the office doors being locked. He explained that the club assistance programme was a collaboration with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in which various clubs around the country were paired with the regional teams.
Other territories in future WICB tournaments will also be involved in this project.
For every victory registered by a team, that team’s partner club received GY$100,000 (US$500) from the WICB.
Moreover, for every six hit by any batsman on a team, that team’s partner club received US$50. And for every wicket taken via the ‘bowled’ route by any bowler on a team that club’s partner team received US$50.
The WICB tallied the victories, sixes and bowled wickets and the clubs received their funds at the end of the tournament.
Clubs were required to submit a development plan in order to receive the funds and payments were made to the contractors who will be executing works on behalf of the clubs. Clubs opted for infrastructure and upgrading of facilities such as grounds, pavilion sight screens, etc, equipment and training programmes.
Speaking to the representative from the MacGill Cricket Club, Sudesh Persaud, while thanking the WICB for this initiative, explained that the club, which is based in Canal Number One in Region Three built a very good relationship with the then Daren Ganga-led Trinidad team during the Super50 tournament and they are now currently in the process of using the funds to build a playfield for cricket in that area.
The eight clubs and their prize money are as follows:
Bay Rock Sports Club Barbados $10,000
Blairmont Community Centre Windward Islands $40,000
Enterprise Cricket Club Sagicor HPC $230,000
Gandhi Youth Organization Guyana $330,000
McGill Cricket Club Trinidad & Tobago $472,000
Skeldon Cricket Club Jamaica $720,0000
South Essequibo Cricket Club Leeward Islands $90,000
Zeeburg Cricket Club CCC $290,000
Total $2,182,000