The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) under the stewardship of former West Indies all-rounder Roger Harper is moving full speed ahead with its programmes as the year comes to a close.
Yesterday, at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion, the Noble House Seafoods two-day second division competition was launched with a representative of the sponsors,Pierce Corlette stating that his entity was pleased to partner with the GCA once again to sponsor the two-day competition which is in its third year.
“NHS is proud to be associated with the GCA for this two-day competition. We are always there to support sports, but primarily cricket, and we are looking forward to a keenly-contested tournament once again as some of the players would go on to play at a higher level around Guyana and further afield,” Corlette said at the press briefing.
GCA president Harper said that the GCA was very appreciative of the kind and generous gesture Noble House Seafoods’ has made for the third year in succession.
He underscored the fact that the tournament gives younger players a chance to develop their skills in the longer format of the game, especially batsmen, who can spend more time at the crease.
“While some are going for the much shorter version of the game, Noble House Seafoods understands the importance of the longer version of the game in terms of developing our talent and skill and gives the vibrant youngsters the opportunity to play much longer,” the former West Indies senior team coach stated.
Harper also spoke of the importance of on-field discipline.
“Players need to understand that the way they conduct themselves on the field of play is important. We are all sure that a company like Noble House Seafoods, who is paying the sort of interest to sponsor a tournament, should be having matches of the highest quality and we want to thank NHS for their generosity as we look forward to partnering with them in the future.”
Shawn Massiah, chairman of the GCA’s Competitions Committee, said that last year’s tournament was successful and pointed out that some of the players who participated in last year’s tourney went on to play for Guyana at the Under-17 and Under-19 levels.
The GCA has issued playing conditions to all clubs competing in this year’s tournament and has requested that the clubs pay specific attention to clauses 3, 15, 28, 29, 30, 34, 37 and 38.
According to the playing conditions, players who have represented Guyana at the senior level within the past three years and at the county level at the senior level within the last two years, will be debarred from competing in the GCA/NHS second division two-day competition.
Also, players who have played first division cricket during the same year of the GCA/NHS second division two-day tournament are required to play at least two matches in the league stage of the same competition, in order to be eligible to play in the semifinal and finals. This rule was put in place to prevent clubs from fielding predominantly first division sides in the deciding matches.
The winners of this competition will receive $100 000, a trophy and medals.
Defending champions Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) have been drawn in Group ‘A’ for this year’s tournament while last year’s runners-up, the University of Guyana (UG) will look to go one step further.
The tournament is scheduled to commence this week-end. Ace Warriors, Police Sports Club, Transport Sports Club, Vikings, Everest Cricket Club, Third Class and GNIC have been placed in Group ‘A’ while DCC, GCC, Guyana Defence Force, Gandhi Youth Organization, Muslim Youth Organization and Malteenoes Sports Club complete Group ‘B’ alongside UG.
