By Avenash Ramzan
The sixth annual Guyana Softball Cup will be held on November 4-6 with 24 local and foreign teams set to compete for top honours.
Organised by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), the three-day competition will comprise a total of 43 games in the Male Open and Male Masters categories.
Fourteen teams will compete in the Masters and 10 in the Open, with close to two million dollars in cash prizes up for grabs, while the Player-of-the-Series in both divisions will receive a 14-karat gold and diamond pendant, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.
On the day of the finals at the DCC ground in Queenstown, action will commence at 11:00h and admission to the venue is $1,000 per person. At the launch on Tuesday, Vice-president of the GFSCA, Ricky Deonarain, gave an overview of the 2016 tournament.
“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 explained.
He added, “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.”
The champion team in the Open category will receive $800,000, while the runner-up will collect $200,000. The Masters champion will pocket $600,000, while the losing finalist is guaranteed $150,000. All team prizes will be accompanied by trophies.
Regal XI and Regal Masters are the reigning champions, having become the first club to win both categories in the same year.
Once again, teams will be drawn from Guyana, New York, Florida and Canada. Tickets for the finals day are 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 has attracted corporate support from 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.
Cover photo caption: GFSCA officials and representatives of the various sponsors at Tuesday’s launch of Guyana Softball Cup 6 (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)
