With one week to go for the 2019 HERO Caribbean Premier League, the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Social Cohesion’s Department of Sport has officially signed up the country as a host of the event. The dotted lines were signed at a ceremony at the Ministry’s Main Street office making the South American mainland the home of the Amazon Warriors Franchise as the team’s Operations Manager, Omar Khan entered into the agreement with Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton and Permanent Secretary, Melissa Tucker.
Norton expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, noting the joy cricket brings to the citizens, especially the ‘biggest party in sport.’
Norton confirmed that the National Stadium, Providence is in working order, having just hosted India in a T20I and One Day International but posited that the signing had been convened so close to the tournament bowl off due to the approval of Cabinet which was needed.
Khan, in his remarks confirmed that the four-time runners up have solidified the call for younger blood, saying, “For young players, it is a great opportunity and we have provided for them the greatest opportunity for development.”
He highlighted the leap for Sherfane Rutherford who has taken his talent to the Indian Premier League.
Khan, in his address on youth development, has also given Shimron Hetmyer the title of “Director of batting” stating that, “we are hoping to get over that hurdle [of winning the first title], there is no doubt as I said we are the most consistent team in the CPL reaching four finals and two semifinals in the six tournaments so we are getting there and that is why I think this year we stress more importantly on the young players, we have Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran who will take leadership roles, so part of our system is giving responsibility to young players for example, Shimron Hetmyer will be appointed Director of Batting.”
Khan added, “Let him take responsibility, set up the squad as a business,” asking the question, “he is a batsman isn’t he?”
Guyana Amazon Warriors will face St. Lucia Stars in their first match on Thursday at 18.00hrs before facing St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Barbados Tridents on Saturday and Sunday at 20.00hrs and 17.00hrs respectively.
