Government hands over $20 million to GCB

AFTER winning the inaugural Caribbean Championship T20 competition last month and following hectic practice sessions under coach Ravindranauth Seeram with assistance from Roger Harper, the Guyana Amazon Conquerors are ready to roar in South Africa in the Champions League T20 tournament which starts on Friday.

From left: GCB secretary Anand Sanasie, GCB president Chetram Singh, Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony and Permanent Secretary Alfred King pose with the cheque after the handing-over ceremony.

The Ramnaresh Sarwan-led Guyana team play their opening match next Sunday (11:30 h local time) against India’s Royal Challengers Bangalore and yesterday the Governemnt of Guyana handed over the $20 million sponsorship cheque to the Guyana Cricket Board at the Sport Minister’s office on Main Street .
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony presented the cheque to GCB president Chetram Singh and said that all Guyana was rooting for the Amazon Conquerors as they depart for South Africa tomorrow.
“After a discussion between President Bharrat Jagdeo, Singh, GCB’s secretary Anand Sanasie and myself, we (Government) decided to fully sponsor the team to the tune of US$100 000 (G$20M),” Dr Anthony said at the simple presentation.
He added; “All of the players’ clothing and kit will have the Ministry of Tourism branding under the theme ‘Amazon Conquerors’ while their shirts and headgear will carry the Guyana flag.”
Jingles and promos promoting Guyana’s eco-tourism industry will be sent to South Africa to be used on international television when Guyana plays, while commercials will be aired locally.
“We understand that Guyana as a country will get plenty of exposure from this sponsorship and we are confident that they will do well after their success in the Caribbean T20 championships,” Dr Anthony said.
Dr Anthony says the team’s name captures what the South Americans will be going to do to the other teams in South Africa and that is to conquer all that is placed before them in the tournament.
Singh thanked the Government for their support and said that he was confident the team will make the country proud in South Africa.
“In addition to doing well on the field, our team will be promoting Guyana and we hope that at the end of the competition, the players would have helped in a big way in improving Guyana’s image to the world that when we return home, everyone who was there will know about Guyana,” stated Singh.
The team broke camp on Friday and the players will reassemble today in the city before leaving the Windjammer Hotel at 08:30 h tomorrow, when their journey to South Africa commences.