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Four teams outfitted with uniforms as part of massive launch
ECB/Junior Pathway Under-13 40-Overs tournament…
– US-based Silas Family chief tournament sponsor
Kaieteur Sports – The Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) on Saturday etched their name into local cricket books history, with the inaugural launch of the ECB/Junior Pathway Under-13 40 Overs tournament which bowled off at the Leguan Cricket Club Ground.
The tournament, Essequibo County’s first ever at the U13 level, broke new ground following a new sponsorship deal, spearheaded by overseas-based Guyanese couple Leon and Altina Silas, the brainchildren of the event.
Residents of Leguan by birth, Silas’ who resides overseas, made a huge commitment as it relates to cricket development in their community by outfitting teams not only from their area but from across other areas in Essequibo.
Bartica, North Pomeroon, Wakenaam alongside Leguan were among the 4 teams who were beneficiaries of the sponsorship, which totaled to GYD$1M. Teams were outfitted with uniforms which included caps, while coaches and managers were also given uniforms, as part of the professional approach by the ECB to ensure the sport is properly conducted.
The teams in their uniforms at the launch of the event.
Saturday’s launch opened up with the National Pledge followed by an introduction from ECB Competitions Committee Chairman Kumar Das. Das outlined that without planning, vision and finance the ECB could not have pulled off the tourney, adding that there weren’t enough words to describe the gesture.
According to Das, the cost for uniforms was USD$2000 and it enhances the professional look of the team. He added that the competition will be used as a measuring stick for selecting Essequibo U13 team for the upcoming GCB inter-country, following the end of the two matches played Saturday.
ECB President Deleep Singh, hailed all parties involved in creating what he called a huge part of history in Essequibo’s Junior cricket system. “This is about giving chances to players and developing Essequibo Cricket. I must say, today is a wonderful day for cricket in Essequibo, especially in Leguan, it’s historic. I’m happy to see this being launched, it will be a catalyst for Leguan Cricket”, said the ECB Boss.
Officials applaud during the proceedings at the launch of the tournament.
Singh, who is also the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Vice-president and a Director within Cricket West Indies (CWI), said this U13 tourney is more like an end-of-term exam for the young players.
He said with six (6) academies being launched across Cinderella County over the last two months, this tournament will help selectors to assess the progress of cricketers within the respective academies and their approach to a professional cricket system.
“This tournament will help us to assess the players properly. We will see what the Academy has done for them so far because this is like an end of term test for our Academy programme. On behalf of the ECB, we would like to wish them well and we’re hoping for an incident-free, competitive tournament,” Singh ended.
Singh closed by thanking the Silas family, as well as the other sponsors onboard for helping to support the tournament and the GCB Academies.
Meanwhile, Leguan Cricket Club president Viren Chintamani reveled in the historic moment for his club and community. He said with it being the first time an U13 level was ever launched or played in Leguan, Chintamani was adamant that it will give the zone the ideal recognition it needs to further develop and encourage more youth to join the Academies.
On behalf of the sponsors, Altina Silas, Wife of Leon Silas, said she and her husband were happy to be back in Leguan, a place their family roots are embedded in until now. On behalf of her family, they thanked the ECB for allowing the opportunity to host and sponsor the tournament and the Leguan community.
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