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Sir
Garfield Sobers Masters Cricket, Barbados |
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Sir Garry Sobers Masters |
Cricket
Tours in Barbados |
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The Sir Garry Sobers Masters tournament originated
from an idea which a group of friends had whilst lazing
on a sunbed at the Sandy Beach Hotel (now Sandy Bay)
in
Barbados. This group included myself (Don
Gooding), Ralph Dellor, Maurice Hallam, Les Lenham, Spud
Spencer and Roy Marshall, some of the great golden oldies.
When we approached The Board of Tourism they did
not hesitate to give us their support and Sir Garry graciously and
readily agreed to give us the use of his name – as he did
when we started the
Sobers Schools Cricket Tournament.
Sporting Getaways has special relationship with
the BTA (Barbados Tourism Authority) and with the National Sports
Council and of course we know each of the Legends and the people
on the ground who help with the running of the tournament.
Transportation and grounds are provided very cheaply indeed by
the Sports Council, Umpires by The Barbados Umpires Association
and we get help with lunches (cooked lunches) from people that
we use in our all year round programme of sports. The hotels
play their part too and because we use most of them year round,
the rates for this festival are kept to an acceptable level.
In 2007 we took the tournament to Jamaica as
most of the teams then were coming from North America. We had
to rename it the Michael Holding Masters as
we were not allowed to use Sir Garry’s name outside of
Barbados – a good time was had by all, but there is no
place like home and it soon became abundantly clear why
Barbados is so popular for sportsmen. We
have a preponderance of grounds, clubs, umpires, on the ground
services and there are no large distances to travel.
A few years ago Sir Garry asked us to help with a League
Tournament but we struggled, so he then asked if we could
return to the Masters and put some new life into it and this
we did. He continues to travel to the UK annually promoting
both the Schools and the Masters tournaments. The Schools
Tournament is in its 23rd year with the 2011 being the 25th
Anniversary, we are expecting a bumper year with 12 teams
from the UK.
I have been fortunate to have been on the road with Sir
Garry so to speak for 25 years generating business for both
tournaments and for Barbados. This year we intend to make
the tournament the Best It Can Be.
The teams arrive on the 5th of November 2011
on BA and Virgin, the Opening Ceremony will take the
form of a Gala Cultural evening on the Monday 07th.
We will have a few games under the lights at Kensington
Oval and the culmination of the tour will be a dinner
for all at the home of the Legendary Wes Hall, where we
will reminisce and talk about the Tied Test Australia
vs Windies in 1960. Charlie will be there, Sir Everton might be
there and a few more of our friends.
Why don’t you join us this year in the tournament
– prices couldn’t be better, everything is in
place and Barbados waits to welcome you. Don Gooding.
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