GCB/Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County cricket…
At launching of the 2020 edition of the GCB/Dave West Indian Imports Inter-County Under-15 Cricket Tournament yesterday, businessman Dave Narine, proprietor of Dave’s West Indian Imports, pledged to continue supporting the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).
The nation’s under-15 cricketers are scheduled to go into 50-over action in a matter of weeks, as this tournament gets underway on February 16 at various venues.
The four-team tournament will feature Berbice, Essequibo, President’s XI and defending champions Demerara, who dethroned Berbice in last year’s final.
Outstanding players from the various teams will have a chance at selection to the National Under-15 team, which would test their skills in the National Under-17 competition and later go on to compete at the Regional level.
Anand Sanasie, Dave Narine, GCB President Fazil Bacchus, and Colin Stuart share a photo opportunity with Under-15 players
Speaking to the merits of the tournament, Guyana Cricket Board Secretary Anand Sanasie said: “What I can safely tell you is that most of the young players in the Jaguars squad — some who would have gone on to West Indies duties — have come through the Dave West Indian Under-15 tournament.”
It has been disclosed that sponsorship of this tournament amounts to some $3 million — a sum that is more than adequate to cover the hosting of the games, branding on travel, and cost of playing kits.
Businessman Dave Narine, sharing his elation at being able to support the tournament for a sixth year, noted that he sees a bright future in the aspiring cricketers.
“I see them as the future of Guyana and West Indies teams, and that’s why I love sponsoring the Under-15 competition. I see them no less than the Laras, the Hoopers and the Chanderpauls, because they are going to be like them and all the guys that are playing right now.
“So this is what I’m proud of: seeing all these youngsters that I could say one day they were part of the Dave West Indian U15 competition,” Narine ecstatically shared.
The round-robin tournament will see each team playing the other at least once before the two top teams battle it out in the final,
which is slated for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground at Bourda on Saturday, February 22.
Sanasie has expressed his gratitude to Dave Narine and his company for keeping faith with the GCB for so many years.
“Having said that, I would like — on behalf of the executive, staff and everyone at the GCB and the county boards — to thank Mr. Narine for his continued sponsorship. ‘Thank you!’” Sanasie declared.
Guyana has a stellar track record in regard to finishing in the top two places in this tournament over the past four years; and had it not been for a misunderstanding, the Guyanese U15 Team would have walked away with the West Indies Championship last year.
Additionally, three Guyanese players: Mavendra Dindyal, Rampertab Ramnauth and Isai Thorne, represented the West Indies U15 Team on the 2019 tour to England.
On the first day of competition, Sunday, February 16, Demerara will take on Essequibo at Lusignan, while President’s XI will battle with Berbice at GCC.
