Cricket in Essequibo is poised to take off next weekend after the inaugural Devon Ramnauth Under-19 T20 tournament was officially launched Friday.
The tournament will see eight teams competing for honors over the next five weeks.
According to competitions chairman of the South/Central Essequibo Cricket Committee, Travis Simon, the committee has written to the government seeking permission to host the event in keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines and are awaiting approval.
Simon told Stabroek Sport, “As it relates to the competition, players will not be allowed to use saliva on the ball. Additionally, we plan to have hand washing facilities at each venue along with alcohol-based sanitizers while adhering to the social distancing guidelines which require us to keep a distance of six feet apart.”
He also said that they cannot say as of now if permission will be granted for spectators to be allowed in the venue but “at this point, the games will be played without spectators.”
At the launching, Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Oudit, declared the tournament open in the absence of the Regional Executive Officer Region Two, Devanand Ramdatt who asked to convey his best wishes and charged the players to be good ambassadors of the Region.
Abdel Bacchus, on behalf of the Bacchus Company, encouraged the youngsters to make full use of the facilities before them including the use of the bowling machine which was acquired by the company as well as the gym to enhance their skills and fitness.
National left-arm spinner and successful Essequibo Franchise skipper, Antony Adams, urged the players to put their best foot forward and make their families and friends proud. Adams pressed the players to continue improving their game and to continue working hard to achieve success.
Indall Baychu urged the athletes to use the tournament as a stepping stone to move to greater heights, to maintain discipline at all times and to have fun.
The programme was chaired by Otto Christiani, chairman of the Central Essequibo Cricket Committee. He reminded the gathering of the historic nature of the event and how thankful the ECC was for the timely sponsorship by Devon Ramnauth. Christiani urged the youths to not just see cricket as a past-time but to make it a profession as cricket can bring so much more these days.
Additionally, Chairman of South Essequibo Cricket Committee, Andy Ramnarine, also called on the athletes to seize the opportunity. He reminded them that their performances can lead to selection on Essequibo junior teams.
The tournament will commence on Saturday with matches bowling off at 10.00 hours. On the opening day, at Pomona ground, Rising Star’s Spartans will battle United Warriors while Golden Fleece Vikings Youths will host Essequibo Eagles U19 and Reliance Hustlers Youths will face Queenstown U19 at Imam Bacchus.
The following Saturday, Rising Stars are billed to face Golden Fleece Vikings at Pomona. At the Imam Bacchus ground, Essequibo Eagles and Queenstown will clash at 9.30 hours with United Warriors taking on Reliance Hustlers at 13.30 hours.
Round three on November 28 will see Golden Fleece Vikings and Reliance Hustlers facing off at Golden Fleece before Essequibo Eagles and Rising Stars clash at Imam Bacchus from 9.30 hours. Queenstown and United Warriors will then play at the same venue from 13.30 hours.
On December 5, the fourth and final round, Rising Stars and Reliance Hustlers will face each other at Pomona, Essequibo Eagles and United Warriors will battle at Imam Bacchus and Golden Fleece Vikings and Queenstown will go head-to-head at Golden Fleece.
On December 12, there will be a third place play off followed by a female T10 exhibition match. After that, the final will take place at Imam Bacchus ground.
