By Emmerson Campbell
Guyana’s national rugby 15s team was treated to dinner at the New Thriving Restaurant on Main Street by Ming’s Products and Services Limited Thursday night.
Ming’s decided on the show of appreciation following the team’s 20-0 thrashing of their Trinidad and Tobago counterparts last Saturday in a North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) regional zone qualifiers for the 2015 rugby World Cup at the Providence National Stadium.
“I came forward tonight to support the celebration because I think you deserve it and just like I have done tonight I’m sure that there are other people that are paying attention to what you have achieved and I suspect that your executives will get calls to say we appreciate what you are doing, we will support you,” Chief Executive Officer of Ming’s Products and Services Limited, Stanley Ming said.
He added:”The World support winners, you are winners and I hope that other companies in Guyana will recognize what you have achieved in the not too distant future and come forward and give you the support that you deserve.”
In attendance were members of the team, Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) officials and other support staff for the ruggers.
Members of the team and former president of the GRFU, Kit Nascimento said that Ming’s gesture was extremely generous and it was very much appreciated.
During his speech, Ming also encouraged the local ruggers to remain committed as they can achieve anything they put their minds to.
“If you are committed to doing well and aspiring for excellence, and you make the effort and the dedication you will do it and I have always told people Guyanese have proven over the years that they can do anything once they put their minds to it,” said Ming.
Captain Ryan Gonsalves, players Claudius Butts, Rondell McArthur and fitness trainer Barrington Brown received special awards for their outstanding performances on and off the field of play.
Ming and his wife received the game ball with the signatures of the players of the team as a token of their appreciation.
The national team awaits the winner of the North Caribbean Zone between Bermuda and Cayman Islands. That game will kick off on June 9.