Representatives from the National Sports Commission, the major sponsors, the Guyana Floodlights Cricket Association (GFSCA) and softball clubs were present yesterday morning at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground as the GFSCA unveiled its plans for the staging of the sixth annual Guyana Softball Cup competition.
As expected the three day tournament which will be held next month at various venues in the city, will have lucrative cash prizes for the teams winning the Open and the Masters categories, the only two categories to be contested.
Additionally, there will be gold pendants in the shape of cricket bats encrusted with diamonds for the MVPs of each category.
The fans too have been taken into consideration with lucky ticket holders on the night of the finals earning trips for themselves and partners to Baganara, Aruwai and Arrowpoint Resorts and to the Kaieteur/Orinduik Falls.
Additionally plaques donated by the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market will be presented to outstanding individual performances.
President of the GFSCA Ramchand Ragbeer in his speech said: “As you may know the tournament gets bigger and better every year and is one of the biggest softball tournaments in the country,” said Ragbeer adding that the tournament could not be successful without the support of the overseas and local teams and the spectators.
He said he was hoping for another successful tournament.
Vice president of the GFSCA Ricky Deonarain gave an overview of the tournament spelling out the number of teams, and the prize monies for the tournament while Lalta Gainda, secretary of the organization, spoke of the relationship between the club and its sponsors and said that the club was going all out to persuade its fans to support those sponsors that supported the tournament.
“We believe that we have a mandate to speak to our supporters,” Gainda said.
Also making remarks were Gervy C Harry of the NSC, Rhonda Johnson of Rubis Guyana, Steve Narine of Steve’s Jewellery and representatives of Clear Waters and Survival Travel Agency.
The three day tournament will take place from November 4-6 and will see 24 teams competing for honours in the two category tournament.
Some 10 teams are expected from New York, Florida and Canada while the remaining 14 teams will be drawn from the counties of Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice.
“Ten teams will play in the Guyana Softball Cup Six Open category and 14 will play in the Guyana Softball Cup Six Masters category,” Deonarine disclosed yesterday.
The team winning the Open category will receive $800,000 and a trophy with the runners up set to receive a trophy and $200,000 while the Masters winners will receive $600,000 and a trophy and the runners-up $150,000 and a trophy.
“The Player-of-the-Series will receive a cricket bat gold pendant (14-karat) with diamond encrusted, again compliments of Steve’s Jewellery. There will also be plaques for special performances, example centuries and five-wicket hauls. These plaques and all trophies are compliments of the Trophy Stall,” said Deonarain.
The tournament promises to provide family entertainment and as such the organisers, apart from numerous giveaways by the sponsors have also targeted four lucky persons to receive gate prizes.
“At the finals on November 6, four ticket holders stand a chance to win a trip for themselves and a partner to Baganara Resort for one night, Kaieteur/Orinduik Falls, Arrowpoint Resort for one night and Aruwai Resort White H20 for one night. This is compliments of Survival Travel Agency and it is fully paid from Georgetown to destination and back.
Ten hampers will also be up for grabs. Spectators are asked to retain their half tickets and listen for their number to be called during the games,”
Deonarain said tickets will be available at Trophy Stall, Mike’s Pharmacy, Ramchand Auto Spares, 4R Bearings, Motor Trend, Rohan Auto Spares, Ariel Enterprise, Nauth’s Motor Spares and Nand Persaud and Company Limited.
The tournament is being sponsored by Stag Beer, Rubis Guyana, Trophy Stall, Survival Group of Business, Steve’s Jewellery, Clear Waters, Busta Soft Drinks, Rohan Auto Spares, A&R Jewanram Printery, W.J Enterprise and Mike’s Pharmacy among others.
