The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company has once again established themselves as major sponsors of the national Sevens rugby team.
This time around the telecommunications company is supporting the team for their participation in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series in Las Vegas, United States on February 12 and 13.
Making the disclosure at a Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) press conference yesterday, President of the GRFU, Kit Nascimento was reluctant to disclose the sum of GT&T’s sponsorship, but described it as a “substantial sum of money.”
However, he noted that GT&T will be holding a press conference shortly and is expected to provide details of the sponsorship.
“I am pleased to say that they have now come on. GT&T in fact have sponsored for the last four years. First the rugby West Indies team and now the Guyana team consistently at this level to enable us to perform at the international level,” said Nascimento.
He was very grateful for the sponsorship, stating that without GT&T’s support the team would not have been able to perform at the international level.
The GRFU head also noted that the government had given substantial support to the GRFU for the Commonwealth Games but they are yet to receive any government support for this year’s IRB Sevens Series.
Giving a rough estimate of the total cost to get the team and personnel to Las Vegas for the upcoming tournament, Nascimento noted that it is roughly US$58,000.
He explained that the estimate incorporates airfares, accommodation, insurance, team preparation and also the cost of the team’s technical director’s airfare, among other costs.
According to Nascimento, other supporters of the team’s trip to Las Vegas include the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association and the IRB, who have covered the cost of the team’s insurance for the tournament.
“All the cost really adds up and the GT&T sponsorship has enabled us to cover that. So by the skin of our teeth we have managed,” Nascimento added.
