In a landmark convergence of Guyana’s most passionate sporting cultures, horse racing and grassroots cricket have officially joined forces.
The organisers of the marquee Guyana Cup, powered by Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and the AJM brand, have thrown their formidable support behind the fourth Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, establishing a cross-sport alliance designed to elevate community engagement and reward local talent across the country.
The collaboration brings immediate and tangible benefits to the tournament’s competitive framework.
Jumbo Jet and AJM have stepped in to sponsor the zonal rewards structure, funding the G$200,000 prize for the zonal runners-up, along with G$50,000 prizes for each losing semi-finalist in the Berbice zone.
The first-place prize of G$500,000 is sponsored by Sawa Investment Inc., while the four losing quarter-finalists will each receive G$25,000, sponsored by Scoop Ride.
Beyond the action on the pitch, spectators attending the tapeball fixtures will have a chance to drive away in a brand-new 4×4 pick-up by participating in the official Guyana Cup raffle. Complimentary tickets will be distributed at match venues throughout the tournament.
Speaking on the strategic partnership, Andre Rochford, Operations Manager for the Guyana Cup, said AJM and Jumbo Jet have long been champions of local sport and cultural development.
Rochford noted that, with the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast widely regarded as the premier tapeball tournament in the Caribbean, aligning it with the nation’s biggest horse racing event creates a powerful nationwide synergy. He added that Jumbo Jet is already looking to expand the partnership in 2027.
On behalf of the tapeball organising committee, Yusuf Ali expressed appreciation for the support, highlighting the transformational impact of corporate investment in grassroots sport.
Ali described the partnership as a major win for local athletes and fans, saying the commitment from Jumbo Jet and AJM not only recognises the dedication of the competing teams but also injects fresh energy into community sport, setting a new benchmark for corporate collaboration in Guyanese sport.
The high-profile partnership comes at a crucial time, with the title vacant and 16 teams preparing to battle for regional supremacy in the Berbice Zone, beginning on Saturday, August 8.
The straight knock-out tournament features last year’s runners-up, Corriverton Spartan, alongside proven zonal contenders Grillmasters, Sip N Play All Stars and Cotton Tree Die Hard.
Play bowls off at 10:00 hrs, with free admission across four simultaneous venues: the Albion Sports Complex, No. 70 Ground, Port Mourant Ground and the Welfare Ground in Canje.
The uncompromising single-elimination format guarantees intense competition from the very first delivery as teams chase the G$500,000 zonal title and a coveted place in the G$2 million national grand final.
Opening day features a packed schedule across the county.
At the No. 70 Ground, Match One pits No. 70 Village Spartans against Grillmaster Avengers CWC at 10:00 hrs, followed by Match Two between Champ XI and No. 73 Young Warriors at 12:00 hrs, before the respective winners meet in Match Three at 15:00 hrs for a semi-final berth.
At Port Mourant, 35 Xplosion face Grillmaster Sip N Play All Stars in Match Four at 10:00 hrs, followed by Match Five between Line Path Raptors and Corriverton Spartan at 12:00 hrs. The winners will then contest Match Six at 15:00 hrs.
At the Albion Sports Complex, Match Seven sees Ethan XI take on Royal Warriors at 10:00 hrs, followed by Match Eight between Meera Warriors and Lusignan Bulls DTP at 12:00 hrs, with the winners advancing to Match Nine at 15:00 hrs.
Meanwhile, at the Welfare Ground in Canje, hosts Welfare XI face Blairmont Blazers in Match 10 at 10:00 hrs, followed by Match 11 between The Mavericks and Cotton Tree Die Hard at 12:00 hrs. Match 12 at 15:00 hrs will determine the fourth semi-finalist.
The drama culminates on Sunday, August 9, when action shifts exclusively under the lights at the Albion Sports Complex.
Semi-final One begins at 14:00 hrs between the winners of Matches Three and Six, followed by Semi-final Two at 16:00 hrs between the winners of Matches Nine and 12.
The two remaining teams will then meet in the Berbice Zonal Final at 19:30 hrs to decide the regional champion.
Following the Berbice curtain-raiser, the tournament moves to the East Bank/West Demerara Zone on August 15-16, followed by the Essequibo Zone on August 22-23.
The competition will pause to accommodate the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League before returning for the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara leg on September 26-27 and October 3-4.
Organisers have urged the remaining teams to complete registration through the tournament’s official social media channels or via WhatsApp on +592 635-2235 before the remaining places are filled.
Adding to the historic nature of this year’s edition, the national grand final on October 11, 2026, will be staged at the Anna Regina National Stadium in Region Two.
