– sets aside over $8M for youths and sports
For the seventh year, the New Building Society (NBS) has continued to support the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) 40-over Second-Division Tournament.
The tourney was officially launched at the NBS headquarters on North Road, Georgetown and Avenue of the Republic where GCA President Roger Harper gracefully received the sponsorship from the insititution’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anil Kishun. Since the weather was suitable for cricket, the tournament has already begun and it’s at the halfway stage.
GCA President Roger Harper receives sponsorship from NBS CEO Anil Kishun
A total of 15 clubs across the capital city, Georgetown, are engaged in the Second-Division 40-over coloured clothing, white-ball cricketing event. The 15 teams are separated into two zones – A and B and approximately 52 matches in total will be played. Zone A consists of 2017-2018 defending champions Demerara Cricket Club (DCC); Diplomats; University of Guyana Trojans; Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO); Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO); Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC); Malteenoes Sports Club and Everest Cricket Club. Zone B consists of Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC); Guyana Defence Force (GDF); Police; Third Class Sports Club; Sophia; East Warriors and Transport Sports Club. The two top teams from Zone A and Zone B will gain qualification to the semi-finals.
Additionally, the fast bowling has been given emphasis in this tournament where 16 overs of fast bowling must be bowled throughout an innings of 40 overs. If a club fails to adhere in the preliminary rounds, they will be penalised by deduction of points while in the playoff matches, runs will be deducted.
The GCA President, in his feature remarks, noted that this tournament over the years has produced numerous national players, along with international players, including: Guyana Under-19 Captain Bhaskar Yadram, Ashmead Nedd, Joshua Persaud, Raymond Perez, Sachin Singh, Yedusiter Persaud, Renaldo Ali-Mohammed, Qumar Torrington and Adrian Hinds. Six of the players that played the NBS Second-Division Tournament have gone on to represent West Indies youth teams. Keemo Paul and West Indies T20 International selectee Sherfane Rutherford have also graduated from the NBS-sponsored tournament.
In concluding, Harper thanked the NBS and said he was hoping for its continued support in the years to come. He explained that this tournament has exposed players countrywide since there is no player restriction – simply a club restriction as only Georgetown clubs are eligible to play. The NBS has also positively considered playing the semi-finals and final under floodlights, if feasible. The NBS has also sponsored cricket tournaments in Berbice and seeks to continue development of youths countrywide. (Brandon Corlette)
