-GRFU’s Nascimento says money will go a long way
By Floyd Christie
President Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday at State House contributed $5m towards the national rugby Sevens team’s preparations for the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi, India on October 11 and 12.
Jagdeo had promised the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) financial support following a written request from GRFU president Kit Nascimento.
Last Thursday Jagdeo contacted Nascimento via telephone to inform him that his request for assistance would be granted.
Tuesday afternoon’s meeting saw Jagdeo delivering on this promise when he met with Nascimento and members of the national rugby Sevens team to announce the extent of the government’s support for the team and the amount of the financial contribution. Nascimento disclosed details of the meeting, which was closed to media houses except state media, to Stabroek Sport, when contacted via telephone yesterday.
According to Nascimento, Jagdeo expressed admiration for the team’s performance at this year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Championships which immediately followed the former.
At both of these tournaments the national team was exceptional as they captured the first ever rugby gold medal up for grabs at the CAC Games and retained their NACRA Championship for the fifth year in succession.
Nascimento said that Jagdeo pledged government’s full support for the Sevens team as they embark on their Commonwealth Games debut.
The national Sevens team will also benefit from the use of the Providence National Stadium to conduct their final practice and preparations in Guyana on September 11 from 2.30 – 5 pm.
Jagdeo also expressed interest to visit and observe the team’s final practice “for a short while”, according to Nascimento.
Nascimento had recently been seeking support for the team from government ministries such as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and had written President Jagdeo directly, indicating the financial constraints of the GRFU and its inability to fund the team’s preparation process for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
With the letters Nascimento had also included a detailed budget of the funds needed for the team’s preparation.
The GRFU head noted that government’s recent financial support “will go a long way” towards assisting the team ahead of the Commonwealth Games.