Increased teams bolster SDC T20 competition

The Social Development Commission (SDC) Community Twenty20 (T20) competition is set to be back in full force, as increased competitors are set to highlight the ever-popular limited overs version of the game, following the effects of COVID-19, which limited the amount of participating teams in the last two annual editions.

The organisers have confirmed that 145 teams from 276 communities will battle for the prestigious Social Development Commission (SDC) T20 title and the mammoth $1.5 million first prize cheque to be handed over on August 27.

The announcement was made at the launch at Cal's Distributors' Marcus Garvey Drive offices yesterday, with SDC Executive Director Dr. Dwayne Vernon introducing new title sponsor Cal's Distributors, who has come on board to add value to the premier T20 competition on the island.

"This year is expected to be even bigger, with new sponsors and long-time existing sponsors on board. This year, it's all about the communities and the spectators, which we are going to tailor to make sure they have a good time at the games with the products that we will have on offer," Vernon said.

With the renewed vigour, the response from the community teams has been overwhelming, with nine previous winners in the 16-year existence of the competition returning, including defending champions Boscobel and Gayle from St. Mary and the usually strong teams Old Harbour from St. Catherine, Fairfield and South Stars from Manchester, Junction from St. Elizabeth and Race Course from Clarendon.

"In previous years, we had to utilise four venues in each parish, but this year we are just using the two best grounds in each parish to expose the players to the best venues in the parish," said Terrence Richards, programmes coordinator at the SDC.

The competition is set to bowl off on May 7 with the first parish knockout at French Park in Manchester, with parish round-robins set for Chedwin Park on May 21 at Chedwin Park and Charles Town in Buff Bay Portland on May 28.

Following other parish rounds and semifinals the tournament will boil down with national round-robins and quarterfinals in July, which will be culminated by the play-offs and semifinals and finals in August in St. Elizabeth and St. Ann, respectively.