Regal confident as Legends set to defend title at PM T20 Cup

Captain Mahendra Hardyal of defending Legends’ champion Regal has expressed profound confidence that his team would keep possession of the Prime Minister’s Softball Cup Trophy. He made this revelation as the highly decorated team continue to intensify their preparations ahead of the three-day softball extravaganza, which is billed for November 11-13.

The tournament will be held under the auspices of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc, in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. It will be the sixth edition, and three males’ categories are slated to compete again: Legends (Over-50), Masters (Over-40) and Open (all ages, with round-arm bowling only). Four female teams are set to participate as well.
“I am very confident. Look, for the past four to five major outings, we are champions here in Guyana and overseas. Certainly, no pressure, it just boosted the confidence of our players,” Hardyal stated.
Eight teams are scheduled to participate in this category, and Hardyal has disclosed his team’s plans. “Well, we will take each team as a challenge for us. Legends Over-50 cricket has evolved so much that you can never drop guard; every day and every tournament, teams are improving and strengthening up with players from local and overseas. So, I encourage every side in this category to bring their A game,” the right-handed batsman Hardyal related.
Quizzed on Regal combination, the stalwart softball player responded. “The team is balanced, with skills and experience, and cricket is a team’s game, so we don’t single out players. Rather, what we discuss a lot is for everyone to play for each other,” the businessman commented.
Hardyal further declared that his team is definitely inspired to churn out excellent performances at the mega-softball showpiece.
“Yes! Definitely! We are inspired to do well because of the bragging rights. I will always tell my fellow players (that), by being a professional team, we must at all times play hard and clean to win,” he declared.
An optimistic Hardyal has said that winning the Prime Minister’s Cup will be a big boost for his team as well. He also took the opportunity to welcome all the teams, since they have completed their registration, and stated that cricket will be the winner because he is anticipating fun in the sun.
The male team winning this tournament would receive $600,000 and a trophy, while the runners-up team would cash in $50,000 and a trophy. There will be special prizes for outstanding individual performances in this T20 tournament. The victorious ladies’ team will take home $200,000.
Matches will be played at various venues in Georgetown for the first two days, while all the finals are set for play at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara on Sunday. Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips is expected to bowl the first ball, and more than 25 teams coming from New York, Florida, Canada and across Guyana, would be taking part.