United States-based company Elizabeth Styles has once again partnered with the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB), pumping $500,000 into a tournament that was recently launched at the Better Hope Community Centre pavillion.
In attendance were Marketing Director of Elizabeth Styles Kevin Thomas, President of the ECCB Bissoondyal Singh and his executives, along with the captains of the clubs on the East Coast.
Elizabeth Styles, a company that produces hair care and baby care products and a wide range of cosmetics, operates in 97 countries.
Marketing Director Thomas said at the launch: “While this is the fourth consecutive year that we are sponsoring cricket on the East Coast of Demerara, we have also in the past sponsored Under-17, Under-19 and development programmes in the county of Berbice and it gives us great pleasure to be associated with the game in Guyana. We believe that the ECCB is doing a great job and are quite satisfied with the way they have been administering these competitions and as such we wish them well.”
This year tournament will see the winner receiving a sum of $375,000 and a large trophy, second placed receiving $75,000 and a large trophy, while the best player in the final will also receive a trophy.
The tournament will be a 40-over per innings, round-robin format and this year there will be no zoning as the sponsor has requested that every team on the East Coast be allowed to face each other.
The competition is expected to commence on Sunday (September 10). Also speaking at the ceremony was Vice-President and Competitions Committee Chairman of the ECCB, Raymond Barton.
He explained that numerous teams have entered the competition and he is excited because this year teams as far as Abary will be clashing with teams from the Lower East Coast and there will be some thrilling and competitive cricket.
President of the ECCB, Bissoondyal Singh, in his presentation said that while the ECCB is facing challenging times as it relates to receiving subventions and financing from what is given to Guyana by Cricket West Indies, they have managed to maintain a high level of cricketing activities.
“Had it not been for businesses and companies like Elizabeth Styles it would have been a monumental task and so on behalf of the ECCB, the clubs and teams on the East Coast, I would like to express sincere gratitude to the management and staff of Elizabeth Styles for their generosity,” he noted.
Participating clubs are asked to contact Barton on 626-0223 before Friday (September 8) regarding the competition.
