Guyana National Rugby Team receives $5M boost from ministry
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- Published on Saturday, 14 January 2012 14:25
- Written by Super User
President Donald Ramotar encouraged members of the Guyana National Rugby Team (GRFU), to always strive for excellence, since sport plays an important role in a country’s development. Mr. Ramotar who met and interacted with the team at the Office of the President, headed by its President Kit Nascimento, also explored various avenues for improvement within the sport. The team also received $5M from Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony.
“Sport plays an important role in any society, especially to aid and motivate youths from turning to negativity and as such, we (Government of Guyana), are happy to aid in the process,” the President said. The president while calling on the players to improve on their capabilities urged them to make the country proud locally and internationally. The grant by Government will go towards the sponsorship of the team which will compete against several countries in Las Vegas from February 6 to 11.
“Some of the most powerful teams come from small countries and as such, we have the potential to be number one and to keep the country’s flag flying high,” he said. Nascimento highlighted that on January 14, a final trial game will be held where the team that will be competing in Las Vegas in preparation for the HSBC Sevens World Series in Hong Kong, China will be selected. He added that the event is the third such occasion within the last two years, supported by Government.
"This has significantly aided in the advancement of the team at the national and international levels and as such, we must thank the Government for their commitment to the development and promotion of sport in Guyana, he said. Through the gesture of former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Nascimento said that the team also had the opportunity to participate in the Commonwealth Games. Guyana is the first Caribbean country to qualify for the Hong Kong Sevens World Series Qualification Tournament, which will be a pathway for the team to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Brazil.
