South Essequibo will be a hive of activity from today after the Friends of Antony Adams/Team Daniels Cricket Development T20 tournament was launched yesterday.
On the sun kissed Golden Fleece ground, at a simple ceremony under COVID-19 regulations, the organisers revealed to the players involved in a celebratory match, the intentions of the tournament.
According to veteran coach, Forbes Daniels, the tournament is geared at developing players in South Essequibo, while helping them garner the necessary skills to advance to the highest level of the sport.
“Cricket is our passion and helping you guys develop into world beaters is one of the main drives of this initiative,” Daniels told the players.
The coach added that the sport has been transformed into more than an honorable game, advancing to a very lucrative sport with the advent of T20 leagues such as the Indian Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League.
Daniels encouraged the youngsters to remain diligent and work hard.
He gave as examples, Essequibo’s Keemo Paul and Berbice’s Shimron Hetmyer who have made a name for themselves globally.
National left-arm spinner and Level Two coach, Antony Adams, gave a brief history in relation to his development coming from South Essequibo and moving on to represent Guyana.
Adams told the players that just like them he had a vision of one day representing Guyana and with an initiative as historic as this, their dream could become a reality even faster.
The 27-year-old disclosed that eight teams will be taking part in the competition with four matches originally set for today but due to one of the grounds being occupied, two matches will bowl off at Golden Fleece.
The teams will be battling for the Antony Adams Trophy and a cash incentive while prizes for the best batsman, best bowler will be presented.
The tournament will be played under strict COVID guidelines and will run until May 17.
