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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 21, 2013
Intense rivalry envisaged as 12/12 cricket tournament begins Twelve teams of resplendently attired cricketers assembled at the Everest Cricket Club ground yesterday morning when activities in the inaugural 12/ 12 cricket tournament, under the auspices of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), in collaboration with the Everest Cricket Club, got underway. Activities commenced with a march past where several government and cricket officials took the salute as the teams paraded before them. Minister of Works and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn delivered the keynote address minutes after taking the salute. In attendance also were President of the Guyana National Industrial Corporation Sports Club (GNICSC), Seewchan, Guyana Softball League (GSL) President, Halim Khan and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle. Mr. Benn depicted cricket as a strong representation of Guyanese morals and values even as he underlined the
benefits derived from participation in the sport. He also urged the organizers to heighten similar activities as they could be the catalyst to development of our youths. The GSCL President lauded the efforts of the organizers towards the realization of the tournament. “This tournament has been in the pipelines for over two years but had to be temporarily shelved because of the precedence given to other tournaments also under the auspices of the GSL,� said Mr. Seewchan. He further explained that his executives were merely responding to the wishes of the various team captains, the players and fans. He also expressed gratitude to the many sponsors that had supported the venture. Mr. Ninvalle pointed out that cricket has a propensity of uniting people of ethnic groups as well as diverse cultures. He further congratulated the organizers while extending the hope that the tournament expands to the Caribbean level. Meanwhile, the 12
Minister of Works and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, Deputy Permanent Secretary Steve Ninvalle join other officials prior to the march past activities. competing teams were placed in four groups with Group A comprising Memorex, Herstelling and Smith XI, while Group B is made up of Speed Boat, Recharge and Farm XI. Trophy Stall, Hill Foot Vipers and Universal DVD Titans comprise Group
C, with Cotton Field Wildoats, Bartica Challengers and Regal XI placed in Group D. The winning team will win $600,000 and a trophy, while the runners-up receive $200,000 and a trophy. The best batsman and bowler receive $5,000 and a trophy
each, while the man of the Series will receive a 3 piece suite, a Black and Decker Oven and one Hamilton Beach juice extractor. Several corporate entities have teamed up to make the event a success including Dilo Enterprise, DC
Promotions, Five Star Minerals, El Dorado Trading and Ryan and Reuben Mahadeo (all out of Bartica), Star Party Rentals, Regal Stationery and Computer Supplies, Romain Car Wash, Bank of Baroda, Ravi Sarwan and Trophy Stall.