Big Man Cricket bowling away today
By Zaheer Mohamed
BMC Chairman Raj Singh is about to cut the ribbon to declare the tournament open. Deputy National Assembly Speaker Lennox Shuman (left) and Troy Peters (right) and members of the BMCG are at his side.
Kaieteur News – The Guyana Cricket Big Man Foundation launched its opening 25-over competition yesterday at Georgetown Cricket Club.
The over-45s tournament is expected to start today with several games. Essequibo Eagles will challenge GT Royal Rangers in Imam Bacchus, West Bank Warriors will play Jai Hind in Bourda, Upper Corentyne Rangers will face Timothy Masters in Bourda and Real Warriors will battle West Dem Vipers in Enmore.
Speaking at the ceremony Big Man’s Cricket Chairman Guyana Raj Singh said his body had adopted the administration for cricket over the age of 45 in Guyana and was affiliated with its parent body, the West Indies Cricket Masters Association (CWIMA) . He noted that CWIMA has also been responsible for creating cricket structures around the Caribbean to ensure administrators in all countries make Masters cricket a broader base. CWIMA is directly affiliated with the Over 50s World Cup Cricket Committee based in Sydney, Australia. He said that this committee is a private body operating outside the ICC has so far hosted two over 50 World Cups. “Big Man Cricket Guyana is a private entity and exists on the basis of private entrepreneurship.”
Singh said they aim to develop a strong pool of veteran cricketers through their tournaments. “We note that there has never been a veterans’ association administering masters cricket in Guyana and we hope to fill that void.”
He stressed that BMC is aimed at bringing veterans out, once again, to showcase their tremendous talent and experience with the glorious game of cricket. He referred to the many positive side effects of this and other future masters tournaments which involved players being forced to live healthier lifestyles and become more involved in clubs across the country in offering mentorship to ‘ young people in these communities.
“We aim to make this competition an annual affair and a platform for fundraising to support the organisation’s goals,” he said, adding that a 45-over tournament is planned for later this year as the world cup is a 45-over competition.
Singh said these tournaments will be used as the yardstick to select a Guyana over-50s squad to face their Caribbean and North American counterparts in October this year.
He pointed out that the tournament had attracted eight teams and noted that no such tournament has been held in Guyana nationwide and that the players have the opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage. Singh noted that they had the permission of the covid 19 task force and no viewers were allowed in locations. “We will provide live streaming for the games being played at Bourda,” he said.
Singh informed that they had applied to the GCB for their support, but have decided to suspend their recognition of the competition. “Our committee welcomes competition over the age of 40 from the GCB because it can be used as a feeder for this tournament.”
The Chairman also mentioned that his aim was to create structures in all the Caribbean islands for the regional development of masters cricket. Barbados and Trinidad already had strong structures in place and work has already begun in the other islands.
The competition is sponsored by DIH Banks, Bramdeo Persaud Customs Brokerage, Church’s Chicken, Cricket Zone USA, David Persaud Investment Ltd., Games Express, NAFICA / NALICO, Panko Steel Fabrication, P and P Insurance Brokers, Paul Archer Risk Management, Premier Insurance, Ready-Mixed Concrete, Timothy Motorcycle Spare, Trophy Stand, WJ Enterprise and RS 53Restobar and Lounge.
The winner will collect a trophy and $ 400,000 and the second winner a trophy and $ 250,000. There will also be prizes for other outstanding performers.