The Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated (GSCL Inc) organized second 12/12 tournament gets underway today at the Everest Cricket Club ground featuring some of the best teams from the country.
At a simple ceremony held at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation Sports Club on Woolford Avenue last Thursday evening, the draw was done to group the respective teams.
Today’s opening ceremony will be held at the Everest Cricket Club ground, the venue for both matches.
Inaugural champs, Memorex will go up against the likes of Universal DVD Titans, R1, Speedboat XI, Trophy Stall, Regal XI, East Coast All Star, Better Hope, Recharge, Smith’s XI, Wolf Warriors and Romaine XI.
Memorex was drawn in Group D alongside R1 and Universal DVD Titans, with the latter teams meeting in the first round, before Memorex plays the loser of that encounter and later in the day, the winner.
The two top teams will advance to the quarterfinals.
Trophy Stall, Regal XI and East Coast All Star comprise Group A, with Regal XI being given the first round bye while Speed Boat, Better Hope and Recharge are the teams doing battle out of Group B, with Recharge earning the bye.
Smith’s XI, Wolf Warriors and Romaine XI will battle out of Group C, with Romaine XI drawing the first round bye. In his brief remarks, GSCL vice president Ian John thanked the sponsors for once again staying committed to the softball body who, over the past six months has been keeping teams in and around Georgetown active with the various competitions.
“Having hosted a very successful tournament in May, we are pleased to say that those sponsors who were with us for that first tournament, has seen it fit to commit to this one, while we have some new ones on board and the GSCL Inc. is very grateful for the commitment shown by these sponsors.
“We urge you to play the game fairly, respect the umpires’ decisions at all times over the four days that this competition will be played and at the end of it all, may the best team come out on top,” John added.
Battling for a $600,000 cash prize and a trophy for the eventual winners, with the runner up receiving $200,000 and a trophy, 11 other teams along with Memorex, with an entrance fee of $50,000, signaled their intent to compete for the top prize.
Prizes for the Man of the Series will receive one three piece living room suite, the best batsman and bowler will each walk away with $5,000 and a trophy and the Man of the Match in the finals, $10,000 and a trophy.
Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Steve Ninvalle, is expected to give some brief remarks and later declare the tournament which will have giveaways for the spectators, open.
