By Avenash Ramzan
Eighteen East Coast Demerara teams will over the coming weekends be involved in battle in the Carib Beer T20 championship, set to bowl off this Sunday (May 6).
At the official launch on Tuesday at the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club, Carib Beer Brand Manager Sean Abel and representatives of the organising body- the East Coast Cricket Committee (ECCC)- were on hand to share details of the tournament to representatives of the various participating clubs.
The competition will be played on a knockout format, with one team drawing the bye from the second round onwards.
In the opening round, Better Hope A will play Mahaica Cavaliers, Strathavon will face Mahaica Sports Club, Golden Achievers will collide with Bee Hive, Anthony XI will tackle Enterprise A, Better Hope B and Enterprise B will square off, Enmore will play Ogle, Lusignan B will confront Helena Sports Club, LBI and Paradise will trade skills and Fairfield will do battle with Lusignan A.
Games will be played every Sunday, with some venues hosting two matches per day, starting at 09:30h and 13:30h.
In order to enter, each team had to purchase two cases of Carib Beer. The champion team will receive $200,000, runners-up $75,000 and third place $50,000. All the cash prizes would be accompanied by trophies, while several individual awards are also at stake.
In signalling his company’s support to the tournament, Abel said Ansa McAl Trading is always pleased to be part of community based sports, in this instance cricket.
“There is so much young talent on the East Coast, and one way to showcase that talent is when you guys come out and compete. We’re happy to be onboard with the brand Carib Beer and we will continue to support the development of cricket in every community; even if we start one by one we will get the job done,” Abel said.
ECCC member Jitlall Jowharilall indicated that each team is allowed one guest player, however, it is not compulsory. He added that the preliminary phase of the competition will be played in white clothing, while the semi-finals and final would be played in coloured uniforms.
The final is tentatively set for a Sunday in June.
