Belco will end their fourteen years of sponsoring the Belco Cup after next month’s competition.

Citing “ongoing constraints”, Denton Williams, chief operating officer at Belco, insisted the decision to withdraw their sponsorship of one of cricket’s most popular tournaments was not taken lightly.

The competition became the Belco Cup in 2003 after it ceased being called the Camel Cup.

Ironically, that sponsorship of the competition also lasted fourteen years, with the tournament called the Premier Cup in its first two years in 1987 and ‘88.

“It’s been an honour to have been a part of such a community driven sporting event,” Williams said yesterday, as Belco and the Bermuda Cricket Board announced plans for the final Belco Cup to be played on May 14 and 15.

“We have been the proud sponsor of the Belco Cup for the past thirteen years, surpassing our initial agreement of ten years.

“The decision to finish the Belco Cup this year was a difficult one, but due to ongoing budget constraints we have been faced with having to make difficult financial decisions and as a result we have reduced some of our corporate and community sponsorships.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to Somerset Cricket Club and St David’s Cricket Club for hosting the two-day event for the past thirteen years.

“We thank everyone on and off the field for their efforts, and supporting Bermuda’s youth is something that Belco takes to heart.”

The BCB’s National Youth Academy will once again be the recipient of funds raised during the tournament from gate receipts and additional donations that fans wish to make.

The academy provides Bermuda’s talented young cricket players with a comprehensive programme to develop their skills, while also providing them with the tools they need to become well-rounded members of the community.

“I take this opportunity to thanks Belco for their incredible contribution to cricket over the fourteen years that they have sponsored the Belco Cup,” Lloyd Fray, BCB president, said.

“I thank Garry Madeiros, Denton Williams and the whole Belco organisation for showing great passion in marketing this event, and supporting it fully with their volunteering staff members. Over the 14 years Belco will have awarded over $53,000 in prize money to clubs and players.

“Each year the Belco Cup has supported a charity, allowing telling contributions to be made not just to youth cricket but also to the Sunshine League and Feed the Children.”

This year’s competition will again see semi-finals on the Saturday at Somerset and St David’s as nine-time winners Southampton Rangers take on St David’s at Somerset, and Bailey’s Bay meet Cleveland County at St David’s.

The winners will play in the final the following day at St David’s, when the Gombey Evolution will provide the lunch time entertainment.

“We encourage all fans to come out and enjoy a weekend of exciting cricket and lets make this last Belco Cup the best one yet,” Williams said. “I have no doubt the fourteenth and final competition will be just as exciting as previous years.”

Fray added: “The Belco Cup has deservedly become a marquee event each year and is much anticipated by clubs, players and fans alike.

“Once again the community will have an opportunity to watch the top teams from last year’s Premier Division compete in an exciting weekend of cricket.

“With this being the final year that Belco are sponsoring this event, I expect some exceptional cricket played in the highest standards of sportsmanship.”