Social media has been abuzz following the official squad releases for the Essequibo Zone leg of the Lotto/Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 Tapeball, setting the stage for mouth-watering showdowns as 16 teams clash for zonal glory.
All roads lead to the Anna Regina National Stadium, where the zone champions will be crowned under lights in what promises to be an unmissable weekend of high-intensity tapeball action.
With a powerhouse mix of current and former national stars alongside the region’s brightest junior and country talent, the rosters hint at edge-of-the-seat drama from the opening ball.
Co-organiser John Ramsingh highlighted the surging standard of the competition as the tournament expands its footprint across the country.
“The standard of cricket we have witnessed throughout this tournament has been extraordinary, and the Essequibo squads are as stacked as any we’ve seen,” Ramsingh said.
“When you blend seasoned national caps with hungry young tapeball specialists, the intensity goes through the roof. Bringing this level of competition to Anna Regina under floodlights is going to create an electric atmosphere for the fans.”
The tournament transitions to the Essequibo Coast following two pulsating regional legs that set a benchmark for the competition.
Grillmaster Sip N Play All-Stars delivered a dominant display in the Berbice Zone to become the first side to seal a ticket to the National Grand Finale.
Over in the East Bank/West Demerara leg, Mahdia (Movements Family) pulled off a dramatic, high-scoring heist at Meten-Meer-Zorg, dethroning 2025 champions Eccles All-Stars to lock down their spot in the national draw.
Attention now shifts west for a bumper weekend of action on August 22 and 23. Saturday’s opening round bursts into life at 10:30am across four grounds—Pomona, Affiance, Hampton Court, and the Anna Regina National Stadium.
Blockbuster early fixtures feature Aurora Knight Riders taking on GT Warriors at Pomona, while Riverstown collide with Fibreglass Gladiators at Affiance.
The stakes double in the afternoon as the remaining teams battle through a high-octane knockout quarter-final round.
On Sunday, the entire spectacle moves exclusively to Anna Regina under floodlights.
Back-to-back semi-finals bowl off at 2:30pm and 4:30pm, setting the tone before a high-profile curtain-raiser exhibition match between Trophy Stall Jaguars and Trophy Stall Eagles at 6:30pm.
The centrepiece zonal final takes centre stage at 8:00pm to determine who wears the Essequibo crown.
Beyond securing a coveted berth in the national final, significant prize money is on the line.
Shawn’s Mini Mart is backing the leg with a $500,000 winner’s purse, Jaigobin Hotel has put up the $200,000 runner-up cheque, and Scoop Ride Inc. will ensure all losing quarter-finalists walk away with $25,000 each.
Once the Essequibo champions join Grillmaster and Mahdia in the grand finale lineup, the tournament will briefly pause for the closing stretch of the Caribbean Premier League.
Action is scheduled to resume on September 26 with the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone, before all roads lead back to Anna Regina for the National Grand Finale on October 11.
