Christopher Barnwell receiving MVP award and Trophy
West Indies cricketer Christopher Barnwell showed that he could perform as well on the court as on the field when he managed a double at the 2nd Annual Celebrity Basketball game. Barnwell participated as a point guard for the Athletes who played against the Entertainers who won the title last year.
The game was evenly matched up to halftime with Don Gialiani drilling some smooth jumpers and layups for the entertainers, while reporter Edison Jefford and Barnwell led the charge for the Athletes. Heading into halftime the scoreboard read 23-22 in favor of the Entertainers.
Team Athletes
The Athletes however were not daunted and went on a 6-0 run when play resumed. After this point it was all over as Jefford and Barnwell dominated the offensive boards. Barnwell finished the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds and was named MVP.
There were highlights too as singer Lisa Punch and table tennis player Jody Ann Blake provided some comical moments when they attempted to dribble the ball. Fitness trainer Curtis McKenzie was certainly fit and fast but lacked coordination thus giving the large crowd added entertainment.
Trophies and Prizes
In the supporting game Youth Basketball Guyana led by Akeem ‘the sensational dream’ Khanai defeated Knights Basketball club the evening’s hosts 44-31. QUALFON got the better of Giftland in a low scoring 21-39 game and LAPARKAN edged Republic Bank 52-49 in the opening game.
Team Entertainers
A larger than normal crowd turned out to watch the game even with a Jamzone event being held on the same night. Given the excitement and support generated by the event basketball fans are looking forward to next year.
All proceeds will be donated to the Deaf Institute.
Former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has indicated his willingness and enthusiasm to compete in the Second Annual Knights Basketball Club Celebrity Basketball Game which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 20th 2011 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The brilliant right-handed batsman will be making his debut in the event this year, which featured fellow national athletes and entertainers such as Stephen Vieira, Howard Lowe, Ronson Williams, Chow Pow and Don Gialiani last year.
“Well it means a lot to me, I missed it last year but I’m really excited about competing this year… I think should be very interesting, funny and entertaining” Sarwan said.
The accomplished West Indian batsman, who has 15 test centuries and 31 half centuries, said that although he expects the event to be mostly exciting and entertaining, he does not underestimate the sport and how demanding it could be.
“Hopefully I’ll be fit enough [for the game],” Sarwan said.
The 31-year-old middle order batsman did not disclose much about his basketball background, since he wanted his supporters to attend the event to judge for themselves. He did, however, modestly state, “I played a bit of street ball, or yard basketball if you want to say that.”
Sarwan commended organiser of the event Kester Gomes, who is the president of Knights basketball club, saying that it is a very impacting event considering Gomes’ intention and drive.
“Anything to deal with supporting a charity or a cause like this is always good to be involved with and it’s an honour for me to be a part of this…” Sarwan added.
Sarwan and the other celebrities will be playing for The Support Group for Deaf Persons, which has been earmarked as the charity for this year’s event. Last year, proceeds for the game were donated to Joshua’s House. According to Gomes, The Support Group for Deaf Persons was chosen this year because it is an organisation that is often overlooked or forgotten.
Some of the other celebrities that played in last year’s event were national rugby captain Claudius Butts and coach Theodore Henry; six-time Sportswoman of the Year, Nicolette Fernandes; national cricketers Christopher Barnwell, Stephen Jacobs and Leon Johnson. Organisers promised some fresh faces at the event this year, although a few of the players from last year will compete once again.
Jamzone Master Cup launching Jamzone Master’s Cup officially launched. POPULAR entertainment organizers Hits and Jams Entertainment has added a new flair to this year’s Jamzone summer break festival the 11th of its kind, when they launched their Hits and Jams Master’s Cup Twenty20 Festival at the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture Wednesday afternoon. MCYS’ Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Permanent Secretary Alfred King, Jamzone Master’s Cup Public Relation Officer (PRO) Sean Devers, Hits and Jams Entertainment’s Rawle Ferguson, popular designer Trevor Rose and members from the competing teams were present at the launching of the two day festival which will be held on 12 and 14 August at the Guyana National Stadium. In his brief remarks, Dr. Anthony said the Government was pleased to be associated with Jamzone because of the high quality of Entertainment they provided and added that it was a good initiative to include T20 cricket as they sought another market using sports. “The excitement of T20 cricket is well known and the names involved in the Master’s Cup should add to the value to this year’s Jamzone activities and help to increase the number of people coming here for the events as the whole county benefits through sports tourism,” Dr Anthony said. He challenged Hits and Jams Entertainment not to stop at cricket but to incorporate more sports in their future events. “You could include other shot sports and maybe have beach volleyball during the segments of events at the Splashmin’s Resort. Our Ministry is working with the Hits and Jams team to ensure a successful cricket tournament and they have our full support” said Dr. Anthony.
Chris Gayle - source (ecricketlivestream.blogspot.com)
Devers informed that some of the biggest names in Regional T20 cricket will collide in what is anticipated to be a pulsating inaugural Jamzone Master Cup T20 cricket competition. “A capacity crowd of over 15,000 is expected on both days of action which will see matches commencing at 1700hrs and 2100hrs respectively while gates will be opened from 1500hrs each day. The winner of the grand final on Sunday 14 August will take home US$10,000 (G$2 Million), while over US15,000 ($3 million) in prize money will be up for grabs,” Devers said. Devers informed that since Hits and Jams Entertainment always strive to have the best talent and expertise, Guyana’s top Umpire Nigel Duguid has already been identified to stand in the final. Leading local umpires Colin Alfred, Shannon Crawford, Davteerth Anandjit and Eddie Nicholas have also been shortlisted to officiate in the mega event which will have players from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados rubbing shoulders with their Guyanese counterparts. Ferguson said cricket was included to create a family event and attract even more people to this year’s activities and said that Chris Gayle, who will be representing the Jamzone Super Stars team, has already sent a warning to the bowlers in the competition. “We have received great assistance from the Government as we continue to work hard to provide quality entertainment, promote tourism and a positive image of Guyana to the rest of the world,” Ferguson added.
Kieron Pollard - source (connect.in.com)
Defending Guyana T20 champions Universal DVD Club Berbice Titans, Georgetown Pitbulls, New Line Cavaliers and the Hits and Jams Super Stars lineup will do battle for the whopping first prize that is up for grabs in the event. Each team can use up to four guest players and the pugnacious Gayle along with fellow Jamaicans Danza Hyatt and Andre Russell and T&T’s Dwayne Bravo are the overseas players in the Hits and Jams Super Stars side which will be led by former national T20 wicketkeeper Tyrell Tull with Leon Johnson as his deputy. T&T’s T20 star batsman Keiron Pollard, Jamaican fast bowlers Jerome Taylor and Krishmar Santokie along with T&T’s Navin Stuart are in the Georgetown side which will be led by former West Indies skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan who will have Christopher Barnwell as his deputy.
Dwayne Bravo - source (apunkadesi.blogspot.com)
Like they did last year, Universal DVD Club Berbice Titans will be banking on their home grown talent which includes West Indies spinner Devendra Bishoo and discarded test players Narsingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chattergoon along with Regional T20 sensation Jonathon Foo. The New Line Cavaliers unit, which was once a formidable foe in local; T20 cricket, will include former West Indies leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo and the Barbados pair of Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Smith along with T&T players Denesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons. Tickets for the mega event cost $1,000 for the first night and $1,500 for the second night and should go on sale by weekend, while the crowd on hand will have some form of entertainment during the intervals of all matches.Live radio and television coverage should be provided by the National Communications Network and Devers explained that Regional Radio Broadcasters Line and Length and Regional TV Channel Sportsmax have signaled their interest in providing coverage of the matches.
