5th Edition of NBS/GCA 2nd Division tournament launched

The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has once again collaborated with the New Building Society (NBS) to provide valuable cricketing opportunities for club players within the perimeter of the city.

The partnership continues to grow and is in its fifth year after four years of success has nurtured cricketers for higher levels. The event is known as the NBS Second Division 40 over tournament and competition is scheduled to bowl off on Saturday September 3.

A total of 15 teams are expected to participate in the tournament with the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), the reigning champions predicted to be the team to beat in zone A while last year’s runners up Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) are favourites to top zone B which comprises of Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) and six other teams.

The tournament was officially launched on Wednesday August 31 at the Head Office of the New Building Society at Avenue of the Republic and North Road Georgetown. Similar to last year the competition will be played on a league basis where points will be allocated. There, Shawn Massiah, Chairman of GCA’s Competition Committee pointed out that once more emphasis will be on the development of fast bowlers, as they must bowl 40 per cent of the quotas overs per match and as stated in the playing regulations.

NBS Chairman Floyd McDonald, said his entity is elated to contribute in meaningful ways in the development of sport in Guyana, in particularly cricket. He also commended the GCA for their contribution to cricket in the country, especially the importance to develop the art of fast bowling.

The tournament will be divided into two Zones and the teams listed to participate are: ZONE A-defending champions, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Everest Cricket Club (ECC), Sophia, Diplomats, Police Sports Club (PSC), Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Third Class.

Zone B-Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Transport Sports Club (TSC), Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO), University of Guyana (UG), Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) and Ace Warriors.

St. Stanislaus College who participated in last year’s tournament is notably absent this year.

GCA President Roger Harper welcomed the NBS for their continuous support as they partner with the Association in running this tournament and investing in youths.

He explained that last year the tournament has produced 12 players who have represented Guyana at the various youth levels, and out of the 12, one (Tevin Imlach) represented the West Indies at the ICC Youth World Cup earlier this year in Bangladesh.

Harper assured that the tournament will be run at the highest standard and the GCA’s commitment to the NBS will be fulfilled.

The core of cricket in Guyana is heavily dependent on cricket in the city, the GCA, is in charge of cricket in the city and obviously is entrusted with a hectic responsibility to ensure quality within its structure. However, with little support the GCA has somehow managed to stay alive providing an umbrella for the game to survive in the city. A great deal of the country’s youth and players emerge from GCA competition including Keemo Paul, Malcolm Hubbard, Sherfane Rutherford, Renaldo Ali-Mohamed, Joshua Persaud, BhaskarYadram, Raymond Perez, Travis Persaud, all members of the Guyana U-19 team that won the Regional U-19 limited over tournament in St. Vincent in August, have played GCA’s competition within the last year.

It is time that corporate Guyana, in particular city businesses, partner with the GCA to ensure cricket is given the ideal support it requires.