Latest update January 1st, 2025 1:00 AM
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National Sevens team for Hong Kong wraps up preparations
The National Sevens team to participate in the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong
Looking fit and well defined, two T&T-based players Ronald Mayers (left) and Richard Staglon had a practice session with the rest of the team.
Kong Series wrapped up preparations yesterday with a final session that involved two of the four overseas-based players, at the National Stadium.
Trinidad and Tobago-based Richard Staglon and Ronald Mayers joined the training session after arriving on Friday evening and right away their presence added another dimension to the team’s preparations.
However, before the commencement of practice, Director of Sport Neil Kumar paid a courtesy call on the players and made a short address where he urged them to do their best to make Guyana proud.
Kumar said rugby has stood out among all sports in Guyana, adding that no other national representation has managed to achieve what they’ve accomplished at the international level, referring to it as unrivalled.
The Director added that the team’s achievements have placed Guyana on the world map, especially in light of the fact that the sport has become the third most watched discipline in sports.
Guyana Rugby Football Union President Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento in his response reiterated the sentiments expressed by the Director informing that no other sport locally can compare with the achievements of rugby.
He said for US$50,000 the international coverage that Guyana will receive across the world is negligible in terms of cost and all Guyana should be appreciative of what the sport is doing for the country as a whole.
The cost represents the team’s preparation and travel which was borne by the Government and the Business Community together.
Meanwhile, Staglon speaking with this newspaper said he was extremely pleased with certain aspects of the preparations, pointing out that there are definite improvements in the fitness and communication aspects.
“We have a lot of guys who are improving all the time and rapidly too and I like the competitive level within the team as well and that is good for the further development of the team,” Staglon added.
He assured that Guyana will play exciting rugby, adding that that is their main focus right now which is to do their best against the best teams in the format.
Staglon, however, was under no illusion about the team’s chances of joining the other core teams which he felt was a difficult proposition when one considers the superior preparatory systems that the other teams are afforded to perform at the highest level.
“We would like to become a Core Team, but that is so difficult so our main intention right now is to play good solid rugby.”
He stated that playing at the highest level for three days at the prestigious tournament will not be easy and is clearly something that Guyana is unaccustomed to, but the team has committed to doing their best when they get there.
“Our mental and physical toughness will be severely tested, but we are up to the challenge and I am confident that on the day if things go our way we could spring surprises,” Staglon felt.
The team which is scheduled to benefit from a one week training camp in Chula Vista, San Diego, USA is expected to depart early tomorrow morning and will be joined by Australia-based Kevin McKenzie and UK-Based Rupert Giles in the USA.
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