By Emmerson Campbell
“The local rugby players have taken this nation to great heights and I have confidence of them advancing to the World Cup final, it is not out of their reach,”
Communications Manager of Banks DIH Limited, Troy Peters said confidently while his company was giving support to the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU).
Peters was speaking in the boardroom of the company yesterday after Banks DIH Limited gave support to the GRFU to the tune of half a million dollars ahead of tomorrow’s encounter with Trinidad and Tobago.
“On Saturday you have our support and I would like to offer these words on behalf of the Malta Supreme team, you have to be smart, be strong and be supreme.”
The national 15s rugby team will tackle Trinidad and Tobago in the Southern Zone of the NACRA Regional Qualifiers for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in an all- important game at the Providence National Stadium tomorrow.
After playing Barbados to a 10-10 stalemate in Barbados two weeks ago, the locals must win in order to keep their hopes alive.
The Trinidad side whipped Barbados (30-3) last month and the winner of the Guyana versus Trinidad & Tobago game will play the winner of the Northern Zone for the NACRA Caribbean Rugby World Cup Regional Qualifier Finals.
Peters also said that Banks DIH Limited is pleased to be partnering with the GRFU in hosting the qualifier.
He also stated that it is a tall order for the local ruggers to defeat the 10th rated 15s rugby team in the world but he is confident that Guyana, the 61st rated team will come out victorious as long as they have the support of the country and Banks DIH Limited.
“Saturday’s match will be sponsored under the Banks Malta Supreme brand, the perfect non-alcoholic malt beverage for athletes. Banks Malta Supreme will energize the players in this critical engagement. I would like to take this opportunity to urge sport loving Guyanese to come out and support the local ruggers – once we support them I am confident they will advance to the next round of the competition.”
Patrons entering the stadium are urged to wear green in support of the local team.
President of the GRFU Colonel John Lewis thanked the beverage giant for their support of the team locally but also stated that he would like the company to do the same internationally.
Said Lewis: “We have gotten to the international level and that brings a lot of glory and exposure but it also brings along a demand for even greater funding and sponsorship so on this occasion sponsorship is vital and Banks has come along at a crucial time to get us over this hurdle.
However when we move on from here (the Trinidad match) we may have to play overseas and that sort of sponsorship is significant.”
He continued: “We would like Banks to consider not only sponsoring us locally but overseas because our team is a national pride and it really needs to be properly supported …”
Kick off time is 16:00hrs and admission is free.
Also present at the event were members of the 15s team, PRO of the GRFU Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, former president of the GRFU Kit Nascimento, Guyana’s Team referee Terrence Grant, Captain Ryan Gonsalves, Head Coach and player Theodore Henry, Committee Member and Team Manager Robin Roberts, Match Secretary Peter Campayne, Senior Vice-President and Chairman of the Selection Committee Mike McCormack, Outdoor Events Manager for Banks DIH Limited, Mortimer Stewart, and Brand Manager for Malta Supreme Clayton McKenzie.
