– PM, Minister Norton, urge inclusion of female components
The third edition of the highly anticipated Prime Minister’s Cup T20 competition was launched on Friday at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) Sports ground on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton, along with organisers and sponsors of this tournament
Organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Incorporated, this event will feature three categories of players: namely, the Legends Over-50, Masters Over-45, and the All-Stars; and will be hosted under the theme ‘Fostering social cohesion through sports’. It will run from November 1-3 at different grounds in Georgetown, but the finals will be held at the Everest Cricket Ground.
Opening the launching ceremony of the tournament, GSCL President Ian John said the GSCL has lived up to its word on improving the tournament by the addition of an over-50 category featuring at least 24 teams.
John also noted that these tournaments are important as a way of promoting the sport in Guyana, and this tournament will feature teams from Georgetown, Berbice and overseas.
John said the inflow of overseas teams would definitely boost the economy and popularise the event, already well known around the world. He also boasted about the lucrative prizes up for grabs.
Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton, was present at the tournament, and said: “Softball cricket has seen tremendous growth throughout the many years. While education remains important to us, we have found that it is important to keep our young people active and engaging in sport, to showcase their creativeness and talents. Softball cricket has a large following in the cricket nations. I am also pleased that softball cricket is flexible with age, but I must urge the GSCL to include a female component of the league.”
Echoing those remarks, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said, “When I agreed, three years ago, to associate the Office of the Prime Minister with this softball tournament, I had very high hopes that this would become one of the major tournaments in Guyana. It seems that that expectation has not gone astray. It is very innovative that there is a category for the older folks. I do support strongly that there should be a women’s component to the game, to make it more inclusionary.”
The first prize for the Legends Over-50 is $300,000, while the runners-up will receive $50,000. The ‘man-of-the-match’ in the finals will receive $10,000 and a trophy, and the ‘man-of-the-series’ will receive one gold bracelet.
In the Masters Over-45 category, the winner will pocket $500,000 and the runner up $100,000; while the ‘man-of-the-match’ in the finale will receive $10,000 and a trophy.
The ‘man-of-the-series’ will carry away a brand new 55” Smart TV.
In the All Stars category, (open to all ages), the winner will pocket a handsome $500,000; the runner-up $100,000; ‘man-of-the-match’ in the finals will pocket $10,000 and a trophy; and the ‘man-of-the-series’ will receive a Hero Honda motorcycle.
Among the sponsors of this year’s tournament are Banks DIH, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Crown Mining, Rajiv Gandhi University, Green Heart University, Star Party Rentals, Supreme Venture, Elegance Jewellery, Cyber Sports Pakistan, Ink Plus, the Computer Store, Dyna’s Embroidery, USA Cricket Zone, Krishna and Balram Printery, and Hero Motorcycle-Rose Ramdehol.
