– Trophy makes official visit to Guyana

THE Symbolic presentation of the ICC Women’s World T20 trophy was unveiled yesterday at the Umana Yana, confirming Guyana’s commitment to host its leg of the event.

The 2018 edition of the Women’s World T20 will be hosted by Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda and St Lucia from November 9-24.
The preliminary round and warm up matches will be held at the Guyana National Stadium and Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia, while Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda will stage the two semi-finals and the final.

Yesterday marked another momentous day in Guyana’s sporting history, and in his brief remarks Minister of Social Cohesion with the responsibility of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton, said all Guyanese should be proud to be part of this “history making” event, as he reflected the history of female cricket.

Dr. Norton noted that the Ministry will be working closely alongside the Guyana Cricket Board, Cricket West Indies and ICC to promote an exciting brand of female cricket during Guyana leg of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Tournament Director, Jennifer Nero in thanking the Guyana Government, especially Dr. Norton and the GCB, pointed out that the November event in the Caribbean will be the first stand-alone ICC Women’s World Twenty20 after the past five events were played alongside the men’s event.

The Caribbean hosted the World Cup in 2007 and then staged the World T20 in 2010 when the league matches of the women’s tournament were played in St Kitts, while St Lucia hosted the two semi-finals.

The final in Barbados was played after the men’s final and was won by Australia when they beat New Zealand by three runs.

“This tournament is significant because it signaled to the world that gender equality initiatives are an integral part of ICC cricket agenda. Cricket West Indies takes it remit to host this tournament with pride and purpose, as set out in the following stated vision and objective.

Our vision is to bring the unique Caribbean color, entertainment and flambounce to women’s cricket by hosting the World T20; as the defending champions we aim to use the tournament to attract more children and women to the game,” Nero stated.

She added “Cricket West Indies will used this tournament to achieve a number of objectives in its 2018-2020 strategic plans and there are: to promote gender equality; to grow partnership in women’s and girls’ cricket in the West Indies; to discover new champions for women’s cricket; to established cricket as a genuine career path for young girls’; to promote a legacy for women’s and girls’ throughout the region and to encourage fans.”

Nero further stated that each host country stands to benefit tremendously form the tournament.

These includes the: the socio-economic impact, the media coverage around the world which will provide the platform to showcase the host country and the opportunity for the host country to position itself to host world class international and regional events.

Also making a special address was deputy director of Sports, Melissa Dow-Richardson after which the Lloyda Nicholas Dance Group performed a cultural presentation.

Tournament Operational Manager moved the vote of thanks.

The next stop will be St Lucia on Tuesday while the tour ends in Antigua and Barbuda on Friday.

Hosts Windies will defend the title they won with an eight-wicket victory over Australia in Kolkata in 2016.

The hosts will be joined by Australia, world champions England, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka who have all achieved qualification.

The remaining two spots will be taken by Bangladesh, Holland, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, Uganda or United Arab Emirates, all of whom will compete in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in the Netherlands from 3-14 July.