Poor turnout at opening of TBPO Softball Competition

Despite a relatively large crowd at the Dauphine Community Centre for the opening of the National Lotteries Top Belair Progressive Organization’s (TBPO) softball cricket competition, less than 10 of the over 20 teams participating in the competition turned up for the opening ceremony.{{more}}

Chair of the organizing committee Ashford Wood, during the competition’s opening on Saturday, commented on the poor turnout the competition has been getting over the past couple of years.

Wood also stated that because of a few incidents last year, the organizing committee met with teams and allowed them to air their grievances in an effort to have an incident-free competition.

“For this 2016 competition, we are appealing to teams, if you have issues…feel free to approach us so that we can sort them out. It is only when we have that kind of relationship between both parties…that we can have a competition that is very well organized, that is free of what we would refer to as bacchanal.”

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, area representative and Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture Cecil McKie noted that the TBPO competition for over 20 years has been one of the top softball competitions.

“Consistently there have been 20 plus teams participating in this competition. The competition has been very competitive, with teams vying for the top,” the minister stated.

He also noted that the effort the committee puts into making the grounds ready and making the atmosphere ready for the games also plays a vital role in the competition’s success over the years.

McKie, who at last year’s opening promised to have a seating facility built at the cricket ground, pointed out that while it has not as yet happened, he is not giving up on getting it done.

He also noted that the primary school competition would be reintroduced, with participants from all five primary schools in West St George, as well as the Sion Hill Government School.

“We also commit that even if there is a national primary schools cricket competition, we will maintain the West St George Primary School cricket competition,” he said.

The sports minister also issued a challenge to the organizers and the sponsors to organize a ‘Champion of Champions’ cricket tournament in the community.

“We will bring the top teams from throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines in a weekend fiesta of softball cricket, where we will feature the two top teams from this competition from this year.”

Gairy Construction Ltd Simple Boys were judged the best dressed team and they also won the Collin John and Friends knock-out competition. (CM)