On Wednesday 17th May, 2017 from 10 30 hours, the Guyana Cricket Board and Hand in Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited hosted the launching of the Under 19 Inter County tournament 2017. The launching took place in the sponsor’s Board room at its main branch situated in Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown.
Hand In Hand’s Business Development Officer, Ms Savita Singh chaired the proceedings and opened the ceremony by giving welcome remarks. She then proceeded to give a brief history of the organisation and its valuable contribution to sports, of which there was a rich collaborative history with cricket entities. She highlighted that the partnership with the Guyana Cricket Board was significant in that, it is geared at fostering player empowerment avenues that are likely to give the players a solid foundation.
Mr. Howard Cox, Director and Fire Manager, was high in praise for the current Guyana Cricket Board. He posited that while the GCB may have its detractors, they have exemplified themselves well, by being able to reap successes at varying levels of regional competition. He particularly made mention of the Guyana Jaguars 4 Day team, which have won the WICB Regional 4 Day Professional Cricket League for the third consecutive year of its implementation. Further, Mr. Cox was high in praise for the Guyana Under-19 team which in 2016 won the WICB Regional One Day 50 Overs Championship for the third consecutive year. Mr. Cox further expressed his delight, to see Shimron Hetymer (as a product of the Hand In Hand Inter County Competition and the GCB’s player development program), progressing to the West Indies as such an early point in his career. He opined that this fact was very encouraging to young players, the GCB, sponsors and other stakeholders.
Mr. Cox postulated that such positive outcomes can only be the result of the current GCB’s effective development cricket structure, and suggested that entities, cricket stakeholders and cricket enthusiast should recognized and acknowledge effective contribution of the current GCB, and give valuable support where deemed possible.
The Hon. Secretary of the GCB indicated that, the Guyana Cricket Board is proud to be associated with the Hand in Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited. Hand In Hand shares a rich collaborative working relationship with local cricket boards; their sterling contribution to the development and promotion of cricket in Guyana is highly recognised and appreciated. He further posited that this year, Hand In Hand recommits to the Guyana Cricket Board, by entering into the second year of the a three (3) year agreement, to sponsor the GCB’s prestigious Under19 Inter County Tournament.
Mr. Sanasie pointed out that this Under19 Inter County championship has a proud history of having produced a number of great national players at both the Under 19’s and senior levels. One recent product of this Under 19 program is Shimron Hetymer who has graduated to the West Indies Senior Team. He noted that it is with great delight and appreciation that the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) engages Hand In Hand as the proud sponsor of this significant tournament. The GCB views this tournament as critical to the growth and empowerment of our young players, in that is serves as the main domestic catalyst for the mobility of players to the senior level. As a consequence, the championship both give our national selectors an opportunity to observe the talents available for the 2017 national under 19 team to represent Guyana in the WICB Regional Tournament which will be played in St. Kitts this year. Further, it enables the selectors to add players to the pool of emerging players that are being groomed along a senior career path.
Mr. Sanasie concluded by postulating that Hand In Hand’s sponsorship of the GCB’s Under 19 Inter County Tournament is clearly an invaluable one, and will enable the Guyana National Team to adequately prepare to defend their WICB Regional One Day Championship Title, a title we have won for the past 3 years, and to lift the 2017 WICB Regional 3 Day Tournament Title.
The tournament commences on Monday 29th May, 2017 with the one day format, of which the final will be played on Friday 2nd June, 2017 at the National Stadium-Providence, commencing from 09 30 hours.
The three day format will commence with the first round of matches from 10 00 hours on Tuesday 6th June, 2017 and will have as its scheduled conclusion date as Friday 16 June, 2017.