By Neil Barry Jr.,
Hadi’s Mall Incorporated has joined with the Georgetown Cricket Association to stage the Hadi’s Mall Inc., first-division two-day competition.
The competition was launched on Thursday at the mall located on the intersection of Camp and Regent Street.
Nasir Mohamed, Managing Director of Hadi’s Mall Incorporated, said that it is an honour to be sponsoring the tournament and to join forces with the GCA.
Mohammed said that he was looking to make the tournament an annual feature and promised that his company would be a long term sponsor.
He mentioned that he played representative cricket for Bartica and Essequibo and had been privileged to being a part of national trials during his heyday in the sport where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of the late Andrew Lyght Jr., and national coach Mark Harper.
President of the GCA Roger Harper, the former West Indies all rounder and brother of Mark, expressed his gratitude to the effort put in by Nasir Mohamed and Hadi’s Mall, who, he said, were very excited about getting on board with the development of cricket in Georgetown.
According to the GCA president, Mohamed wanted to give the players a chance to hone and further develop their skills.
Harper reminded those present that “Players must be playing the game in the right spirit, with pride and passion, representing the sponsor’s brand with dignity. I am looking forward to grounds being made available and players making the tournament a highly competitive one, while I must say thanks to Mohammed for partnering with us.”
The tournament carries a first place prize of $120 000, a trophy and medallions to the winners and $80 000 for the second-placed team, as well as a trophy and medallions. There will also be individual prizes for prizes such as Best Batsman, Fielder, Bowler, Most Valuable Player and Most Wickets.
Chairman of the competition’s committee Shaun Massiah took the opportunity to remind the players to be au fait with the Playing Conditions, as the GCA. will be seeking to impose sanctions severely. As has become the norm with GCA tournaments, teams must have the seamers bowl at least 25% of the overs while those under the age of 19 are allotted a total of six overs per session.
Although the competition has already staged two matches, in which the Georgetown Cricket Club drew with Malteenoes Sports Club and Gandhi Youth Organization drew with Police Sports Club, the competition will continue next weekend to facilitate GCC’s double-wicket competition slated for this weekend at Bourda.
