Kares ‘One Guyana’ T10 Tape Ball Blast: Government pledges two-year support
Through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Government of Guyana has pledged its support for the Kares ‘One Guyana’ T10 Tape ball Blast for the next two years.
Following a well-received inaugural edition in 2023, Minister Charles Ramson Jr has confirmed continued funding for the fast-paced cricket competition.
Recognising its potential for growth, the MCYS has solidified its sponsorship for the next two tournaments, the minister foreseeing the tournament as having the capacity to grow further into a mega sporting event involving people from communities nationwide.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr (right) with one of the organisers, Akeem Greene, after a recent meeting at his office
His sentiments echo those of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who has hailed the 2023 tournament as a tremendous platform for grassroots sport activities and a catalyst for attracting international exposure.
According to the organising team: “Tape ball is certainly the community sport, and we saw last year that when the teams came to represent, their communities were in support, which was most evident in the massive crowd at the National Stadium.”
The organisers further elaborated that with keen interest from persons from Pakistan, the United States of America, Trinidad, Barbados and Dominica, there is undoubtedly immense potential for exponential growth with more corporate support.
Additionally, the tournament has another humanitarian impact. The Cricket For Charity match, led by President Ali, raised over G$20M in 2023, and that number is expected to be increased with the continued support of a critical stakeholder in the private sector.
Once again, 32 of the best Tape ball teams in Guyana will vie for lucrative cash prizes and year-long bragging rights, with action set for August 3, 4, 11, and 25.
The semi-finals, final, and Cricket for Charity match return to the National Stadium on August 25.
With the increased interest from teams, the organisers have indicated that with essential corporate support, they would venture to have more teams in the competition from 2025.
The first prize has been increased to G$1.5M, while the second prize is now G$500,000, and the two losing semi-finalists would each pocket G$250,000.
Cash and other prizes will be given to the Player-of-the-Final and the Most Valuable Player, as well as the ones scoring the most runs and taking the most wickets.
Last year, Eccles All-Stars defeated V-Net Vipers in the final, while Team Corruption and Tarmac were the losing semi-finalists.
