By Floyd Christie
In the aftermath of their historic gold medal win against Jamaica in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games rugby Sevens tournament, the national men’s rugby team was presented with golden neckwear during an awards dinner at Thirst Park, Sunday evening.
As major sponsors of the tournament, Banks DIH Limited hosted the dinner for all the participating teams in the CAC Games rugby sevens.
The teams were formally presented with medals for participation in the tournament, along with officials who were also awarded for their officiating at rugby’s inauguration into the CAC Games over the weekend.
Of all the medals presented, none were of more significance and more appreciated than the gold, which was awarded to the Guyanese team amidst cheers from those in attendance.
Jamaica was presented with the silver and Mexico, the surprise team of the tournament, the bronze medal.
Among those gracing the awards dinner were Tom Jones, the International Rugby Board Regional General Manager, Chairman of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K. A. Juman-Yassin, Chairman of the CAC organizing committee and also President of the GRFU, Kit Nascimento, and Terry Holder, Deputy General Manager of Communications, for the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company.
The sponsors of the tournament were emphatically recognized by Nascimento and others at the head table, who also congratulated the teams for the impressive rugby they played throughout the tournament.
“You have shown that Central America and the Caribbean can play first-class rugby,” Nascimento gushed while addressing those in attendance.
Also particularly impressed with the national team’s performance was Juman-Yassin who noted this in his address.
“The manner in which you played was a joy to watch. You have done us proud and you have exceeded our expectations,” Yassin said in relation to the national team’s achievement.
According to the GOA head, who further thanked the teams for their role in making the tournament a success, the GOA was hesitant at first to bid to host the CAC rugby Sevens, but now “have no regrets as the national men’s Sevens team is now a part of history,” for being the first team to win a rugby gold medal at the CAC Games.