A name that stands synonymously with cricket in the Caribbean, Guyana, and, to an extent, the world is the iconic Bourda Cricket Ground at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC).
Even as the famed International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, the President of GCC and its members were wondering why the trophy was not slated to be taken to Bourda, even if for a few minutes to grace the ‘Mecca’ of cricket in the Caribbean.
Speaking to Stabroek Sports, GCC President Jonathan Yearwood expressed his profound disappointment at the snub.
He explained, “As President of the Georgetown Cricket Club, I find it extremely disturbing that no one saw fit to bring the t20 world cup trophy to visit, not even for a few minutes, to the world-famous Bourda, the Georgetown Cricket Club, where some of the best matches in the world have been played.”
‘It is very disappointing to me and our members that no one thought of having this trophy at the Georgetown Cricket Club, not even for a few moments, not even for just a photo shoot,” he further said.
Yearwood contended, “GCC is the oldest cricket club in the Caribbean, and it is by far the most prestigious cricket club in Guyana, yet we have been sidelined for this wonderful T20 trophy tour. I can’t understand why anyone in the planning of this tour would not want to bring this trophy to GCC. It is beyond my comprehension, and I think it is a very sad state of affairs.”
After touching down in Guyana on Tuesday, the trophy journeyed to State House, Main Street, Georgetown, for the first of its planned stops.
The accolade was once again on display at State House yesterday as First Lady Arya Ali hosted an engagement with children and the differently abled from the Hope Children’s Home. The silverware also made a trek to Kaiteur Falls.
The trophy is slated to appear at two public events today. Its first stop will be at the St. George’s Cathedral, where a number of schoolchildren will have the opportunity to take photos with the accolade. The second stop will be at Kingston Seawall Esplanade, where fans can ‘catch’ world cup tickets as well as take photos and interact with national cricketers.
The Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the United States of America and the West Indies, will run from June 1st-29th. Guyana will stage group matches from June 2nd-8th, followed by semifinal two on June 27th.
