GRFU says thanks to Business Community

Dec 02, 2009 Sports

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– Wartsila pledges US$2,000 for Uruguay trip

By Rawle Welch
Even after being given the cold shoulder by the Government, Ministry of Sport and National Sports Commission, the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) never let that unresponsive treatment prevent them from saying thanks to those that mattered, members of the Business Community who stood firm in their commitment of support.
The ceremony held at the serene location of Cara Lodge on Quamina Street on Monday evening saw in attendance high ranking members of the Business Community, media operatives, GRFU officials and of course those who, due to their performance at the North American & Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Tournament, made the Golden Arrowhead flutter pompously in Mexico, the national Men’s and Women’s teams.
The two sides convincingly captured the respective titles with the Men winning it for the fourth consecutive time, while the Women have now done so twice in successive years.
Among members of corporate Guyana who were presented with Certificates of Appreciation included GT&T’s Deputy General Manager Public Communication Terry Holder, Wartsila Representative Velimatti Wesslin, Mings Products and Services Stanley Ming, Ansa McAl’s Nigel Worrell, Banks DIH Troy Peters, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento and Beharry’s Anthony Xavier.
Speaking at the ceremony GRFU’s Marketing & Public Relations Consultant Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento in opening remarks told the gathering that the performance of the two teams was extraordinary, but more importantly they were there to celebrate and honour the support of the sponsors.
The sponsors were divided into gold, silver and bronze categories and heading the list were GT&T and Edward Beharry who were both classified as gold sponsors.
Wartsila, BEV Enterprise and Queen’s Atlantic Group were graded as silver sponsors, while Demerara Bank, Mings Products & Services, Trans Guyana Airways, Hugh Cholmondely, De Sinco Trading, National Hardware, Jumbo Jet Car Sales, COPS Security, Scotia Bank, Swansea, C &V Shipping Tent City, German’s Restaurant, DHL and Gems Theatre Company were deemed Bronze sponsors.
Special mention was also made of Duke Lodge, Banks DIH, Andrew King of Toucan Industries, Ansa McAl, Weiting & Richter, GDF, GOA, Caribbean Airlines and Cara Lodge.
Nascimento said that all 30 sponsors represent corporate Guyana who threw their weight behind the national teams with the Men qualifying for the IRB World Sevens Series scheduled for next February in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He added that getting the team adequately prepared and to Las Vegas is a huge responsibility and a massive challenge and urged those present and other members of the business sector to support the Union.
“The World Sevens Series is made up of the top 12 teams in the world along with four other nations and I look forward to the entire country rallying around this team,” Nascimento mentioned.
President of the Union Noel Adonis in his remarks gave a break down of Guyana’s performance at the Mexico event shortly after thanking corporate Guyana for their support.
In the Men’s category, Ireland-based Kevin McKenzie scored the most tries (9), while Ryan George (5) was declared runner-up.   Guyana amassed a total of 210 points to 55 by the opposition.
Collette Hope (7 tries) and Tricia Munroe (11 tries) topped the points on the distaff side, while Andrea Lashley added 5.
He too asked the sponsors to continue their support to the sport, adding that they should feel extremely proud about the teams’ performance which was returned with interest.
Holder in his turn said that it was indeed pleasant to be recognised as a gold sponsor and congratulated the Union.
He pointed out that first the teams needed to be acknowledged for their achievements as well as the Union for its effort in saying thanks to the sponsors.
Holder said that he knew of the difficulty to get sponsors on board and commended the Union for sticking to the task and ensuring that at the end of the day the teams were able to go to Mexico and successfully defend their titles.
He disclosed that GT&T was already committed to the sponsorship of the Sevens Tournament slated for the Guyana National Stadium next year.
Ming, who’s Company has been integrally involved in the sport for the past 17 years through the sponsorship of top club Yamaha Caribs, thanked the teams for doing good justice and paid recognition to the executive of the Union.
Xavier though admitting that his knowledge of the sport is limited assured that he has good news to take back to his Company.  He promised their support in the future, adding that it is a pleasure and an honour to be present at the ceremony.
Wesslin then entertained the audience by saying that the locals ask for too little money and pledged US$2,000 of the $10,000 required for the team’s travel to Uruguay to compete at the annual Punta Del Este tournament in Uruguay next January.
The tournament is being used as a warm-up for the big occasion in Las Vegas in February.

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