Thirty-one other teams, including 17 newcomers, will clash next month in hopes of dethroning the Eccles All Stars in the second edition of the Kares “One Guyana” T10 Tapeball Blast.
In anticipation of the impending tapeball action, the tournament was officially launched at the RS53 Restobar and Lounge, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday morning.
The tournament will once again feature 32 tapeball teams from across the country, vying for a cash prize and a special hand-crafted trophy.
During the launch, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr reflected on the vision for the tournament and President Dr Irfaan Ali’s avid support, and spoke of ways in which the tournament can expand.
“When Akeem and I and the team at the Ministry, we discussed it, we knew that this is not just a national event. This was a global event. It wasn’t just a Caribbean event, it’s a global event that they’re sitting on here and you have to have that vision. What I could say, the Ministry has that vision too and I’m happy to see that there’re so many big thinkers in the room. There were a number of very important initiatives that were included in the tournament,” Ramson Jr shared.
Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr and sponsor representatives unveil the T10 Tapeball Blast trophy in the presence of organisers Akeem Greene, Romario Samaroo, and John Ramsingh
He added, “I want to commend President Ali for his support for this tournament too. It was something that President Ali jumped on from the get- go.”
Regarding the possible expansion of the tournament, Ramson Jr further stated, “As our strengths and our capability start to move bigger, then we can start thinking about other places like Pakistan, India, Australia because those persons, once we make it a really big spectacle and we generate the interest here, then those persons will be interested to come too.”
Touching on the tournament’s development prospects and opportunities presented for cricketers was former player and sponsor Steven Jacobs.
Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr
“I want to say how important this tournament is to the development of sports in Guyana and also, the development of Guyana; this tournament does a lot. Most importantly, I think it gives an opportunity to the cricketers to showcase their talents and through FL Sports, it is broadcast not only in Guyana but right around the world. So, it gives an opportunity for cricketers to show their skills, their talents,” Jacobs explained.
One other thing that has been bettered this time around for the tournament is the trophy and the significance it holds.
“The trophy is a true microcosm of a One Guyana and the stuff that the President is now pushing, for us to be all together. Th trophy is made of six different types of woods,” Stephen McKenzie, the trophy’s sculptor, shared before its unveiling.
The base of the trophy is made from yellow silverballi, while the middle consists of crabwood, brown silverballi and womara. The stumps were crafted from purpleheart and topped off with kabukalli for the bails.
McKenzie further stated about his masterpiece, “So, I would like the persons who are going to be raising this trophy to see it as an artistic piece rather than just your trophy. May the best team win.”
This year’s edition will see an increased first prize, with the teams now competing for $1.5 million GYD. The action will bowl off on Saturday, August 3 at various venues and conclude on Sunday, August 25 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, EBD.
