Guyana will be bidding for matches to be hosted at the country’s only international Stadium, Providence including the upcoming International Cricket Council’s Under-19 World Cup.
This is according to a release from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) which stated that the board requested and subsequently met with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jnr., recently at the Stadium.
“Minister Ramson updated members on the continuing works at the stadium and in particular the playing area. He said that he was well aware of the upcoming international tours to the region and that the Government of Guyana, when necessary, will be bidding for matches at the Stadium, including the West Indies vs Pakistan T20 tournament and the ICC Under-19 World Cup Championship to be played in the West Indies in August 2021 and January 2022 respectively,” the release stated.
“The GCB members were all impressed with the facilities at the stadium and noted that the ground and pitch were in excellent condition and up to international standard,” the release added.
The statement highlighted that Ramson Jnr., took the opportunity to congratulate the executives on their appointments and urged them to build a strong cricket structure while establishing partnerships with all cricket stakeholders in the new dispensation.
“He [Ramson] reminded the members that cricket is our national sport and that, in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities, they raise the bar in cricket administration. He added that the Government of Guyana would be willing to partner with the GCB to ensure that Guyana is firmly placed as a cricket tourist destination. He noted that the GCB is the only sports body in Guyana that is governed by an Act of Parliament so, it is incumbent on the executive committee to leave an exemplary legacy of accountability, good governance and public confidence,” the release detailed.
The Minister again expressed his profound sadness at the passing of GCB Treasurer, Pretipaul Jaigobin, and suggested that the GCB should consider a cricket competition be played in his honour.
President of the GCB, Bissoondyal Singh, responded by thanking Minister Ramson Jnr., for accommodating the visit by the GCB. He praised the minister for the pivotal role he played in resolving the cricket impasse and added that the GCB looked forward to working with him and the Government of Guyana to realize the aims and objectives of the board.
