12 teams vying for top honours in GCA U-19 50-over competition

Two years after sport activities came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has launched its Under-19, 50-over tournament.

Local companies Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival Group of Companies and Trophy Stall have thrown their invaluable support behind the tournament, which began on Saturday (March 12) at venues in the city.

Speaking at the launch, which was held at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), GCA President Neil Barry Sr. expressed gratitude to the sponsors for coming onboard despite all the difficulties being experienced globally.

“It is heartening to see our local companies throwing their weight behind the GCA, especially in sponsoring this tournament at the Under-19 level which is an important stage of our young cricketers’ development. Without these types of tournaments, we cannot produce the talent to improve Guyana’s cricket and ultimately take West Indies back to where it ought to be,” Barry posited.

Meanwhile, Ramchand Ragbeer of Ramchand Auto Spares noted that his company is pleased to be onboard and is looking forward to some exciting cricket in the coming weeks.

Speaking on behalf of the Survival Group of Companies, Mark DeFreitas stated that it was an honour for the Survival Group to be accepted as a sponsor of the GCA’s tournament.

DeFreitas pointed out: “It is our company’s first time being involved in the sponsorship of (hardball) cricket, but it most definitely won’t be the last time, to the participants we wish you all the best and may the best team win.”

In addition to sponsorship of the tournament, the Survival Group of Companies through its Travel Agency has put up a Most Valuable Player (MVP) incentive in the form of a trip for two to the Kaieteur Falls.

The competition will see over 170 youths from in and around Georgetown (registered with Georgetown clubs under the GCA) showcase their skillsets over the coming weeks. Twelve teams will compete for top honours within two zones with the top two from each zone securing a berth in the semi-finals.

The twelve teams are Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), GNIC, Muslim Youth Organization (MYO), Queen’s College (QC), Everest Cricket Club (ECC), Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), Transport Cricket Club, 4R Lions, Bel Air Rubis, Agricola and Georgetown XI.

Zone A comprises of GNIC, GCC, 4R Lions, GT XI, DCC and Malteenoes, while Zone B will pit MYO, Transport, Bel Air Rubis, Agricola, QC and Everest against each other.