President of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Roger Harper was in high praise yesterday of the New Building Society Limited (NBS) for their continued support of grass roots cricket.
Speaking at the launching of the 2018-2019 GCA/NBS 40-overs second division tournament at the company’s North Road and Avenue of the Republic base, Harper said that as a direct result of the sponsors, 16 players have moved on to represent Guyana at various levels and nine have gone on to represent West Indies at the youth level including, Sachin Singh, Mavindra Dindyal, Qumar Torrington, Ashmead Nedd, Joshua Persaud, Bhaskar Yadram and Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed.
He stated “We have seen a number of players moving up the cricketing ladder…so without question, this year bears not only good quality fruit but greater quality fruit giving our young players the impetus to progress.”
The GCA president said “this sponsorship … continues to provide opportunities for players representing clubs in Georgetown to showcase their talent and own their skills and I keep emphasizing every year that while it is a competition for Georgetown clubs it provides opportunity for players all over the country because there is no restriction on players and where they live”.
Harper expressed his pleasure at being associated with the sponsors as they help to foster the development of players that “will help us go back to the pinnacle of cricket.”
Chairman of the GCA competitions committee, Shaun Massiah pointed out that the tournament has already started with a total of 52 matches expected to be played across two groups and for the first time with coloured clothing.
Massiah stated that Group A comprises defending champions, Demerara Cricket Club, Diplomats out of Lodge, the University of Guyana, Muslim Youth Organisation, Guyana National Industrial Corporation, Malteenoes Sports Club and Everest Sports Club while Group B sees runners up, Georgetown Cricket Club pitted alongside Guyana Defence Force, Police Sports Club, third class, Sophia, Ace Warriors and Transport Sports Club.
Massiah pitched the idea of having the semifinals and finals played under lights as the tournament continues to foster development, already establishing the fast bowling rule to have seamers deliver a minimum of 16 overs.
Meanwhile, Chairman of NBS, Floyd McDonald responded to Massiah’s pitch by noting that there has been no formal opportunity to discuss such at the board level but they would “favourably consider” if it is feasible.
To that end, he complimented the GCA for their stewardship and recognized their “good work” while pledging to continue to provide support once they are satisfied with the work of the GCA.
