THE Queen’s Baton Relay commenced its Guyana leg yesterday morning with a parade through the streets of Georgetown.

It opened with President David Granger carrying the Baton from State House on Main Street and handing over to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo followed by the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Patrick West; Minister of Education Nicolette Henry and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn.

After lunch on Tuesday, the party travelled to the Leonora Stadium where the Baton was be greeted by members of the community, Tassa drummers and a masquerade band.
Today, the Baton travels to Kaieteur Falls. It then goes on to Surama and Annai where the party will be greeted with sport and cultural presentations.
On Commonwealth Day, March 13 this year, the Gold Coast Queen’s Baton Relay was launched at Buckingham Palace, signalling the start of the Commonwealth Games which will be held in April 2018 in Australia.

According to the Commonwealth Games Federation, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II heralded the start of the Relay by “placing her message to the Commonwealth and athletes “into the distinctive loop-designed Queen’s Baton which set off on its journey around the world.