$30,000 in ‘Grande’ night cricket

OVER $30,000 in prize money will be at stake in this year’s fourth edition of the A&N and Ecomony Supermarket-sponsored Super Night Softball Cricket League. And San Juan Sports, three-time winners of the tournament are chomping at the bit to go after a fourth title, while Brooklyn United will defend the women crown.

According to league president Terrance Quashie and secretary Nathaniel Headley, action in the league is scheduled to begin on March 19 at the Riverside Sports and Cultural Complex, Foster Road, Sangre Grande. Sports Minister Roger Boynes and Sangre Grande Regional Corporation chairman Ronald Boynes are expected to take the salute at a march past of all registered teams at the opening ceremony which will be followed by double-wicket series for both men and women, starting at 7.30 pm. Also invited to attend the opening are Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs officer, Andrew Bobb and the Senior Superintendent in charge of the North Eastern Division.

Winners in the men category will receive $20,000, with the runners-up getting $9,000, third $5,000 and fourth $5,000. The women winners will get in excess of $7,000, apart from which there will be $200 prizes for outstanding individual performances — best bowler, best fieldsman, highest individual score and highest aggregate, “Player of the Match” —  along with trophies and medals.

Quashie said he is aiming at 20 men and 10 women teams and a tournament completion date of mid-June. Headley pointed out that all prize cheques and trophies will be handed out by the end of the final match. He said the tournament will see two matches being played every night at the venue. Registration for the tournament began yesterday and deadline date for teams is March 14 at the Economy Supermarket. A meeting of all interested teams has been scheduled for Wednesday at the Econo Mall, upstairs the supermarket, starting 7 pm.