With the aim of continuing to churn out future stars, the fifth Guyana Cricket Board-organised, Dave’s West Indian Imports sponsored U15 Inter-County tournament was launched yesterday to the tune of three million dollars.
At a simple but significant ceremony at the board’s conference room, Territorial Development Officer, Colin Stuart emphasized the importance of the venture, which he claimed has been one of the premier tournaments used to select the National side for the Regional U15 tournament.
The tournament bowls off February 16 with Demerara battling Essequibo at the Lusignan Community Center ground and the President’s XI taking on Berbice at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.
Two days later, Essequibo and the President’s XI will face each other at Everest Cricket Club while Demerara and Berbice will square up at the Lusignan Community Centre ground.
On Febuary 20, Demerara and the President’s XI will meet in the final round at GCC while Essequibo will go up against Berbice at Lusignan.
The top two teams will meet in the final on February 22 at GCC.
The competition will be played with the conditions similar to those employed at the regional level with fast bowling, batting and bonus points.
Owner of the sponsoring company, Dave Narine, expressed his satisfaction with the production seen from this investment, noting that he sees the players as no less than the Brian Laras, Shivnarine Chanderpauls and Carl Hoopers though of the next generation.
He reiterated his commitment to the tournament noting that the three million dollars will go towards uniforms, trophies, the logistics of the tournament and towards the national side.
“I see them as the future of Guyana and West Indies cricket teams and that is why I love sponsoring the Under-15 tournament…so this is what I am proud of, so I can say one day they were a part of this tournament,” Narine said.
Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie, welcomed the commitment by the company and reminded Narine that his investment has continued to improve Guyana’s youngest of players who continue to make the country proud.
Sanasie updated the gathering on the revelations of the last regional tournament that saw Guyana finishing second, behind Trinidad and Tobago by one point.
Over the years, Guyana has performed commendably in the regional tournament and has consistently produced players for the West Indies age defined tournament including Isai Thorne, Mavindra Dindyal and Rampertab Ramnauth last year.
