MINGS Products and Services (MPS) continued to show its support to Yamaha Caribs Rugby Club by donating a quantity of gear and equipment to the club yesterday.

The donation, which was handed over to the club’s president Robin Roberts by the company’s Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors, Siroj Persaud, at MPS head office yesterday, includes balls, playing jerseys, coolers, a medical kit and gear bags.

The Yamaha Caribs will don their new playing jerseys on Sunday when they celebrate their 17th anniversary with a Sevens tournament at the National Park.

Speaking to members of the media yesterday, MPS Sales and Marketing Supervisor, Kurt Yee, said his company has had a long-standing relationship with Yamaha Caribs “which just goes to show our commitment to sports in Guyana.”

Yee said MPS is doing its part to help local athletes shine locally, regionally and internationally.

He informed that every year since MPS started sponsoring the Yamaha Caribs, his company keeps renewing its support to the top local rugby club.

MPS’s sponsorship to the club started in 1992.

He said MPS is satisfied with the club’s performance over the years and with every team sport there is always commitment to working together, not only with Yamaha Caribs, but other local athletes in order to give them the assistance they need.

He closed by saying MPS will continue to play an active role on the local sporting arena.

Roberts, in brief remarks, said he and his club are pleased with the support MPS has been offering the club over the years and he feels justified that the club has given of its best.

He reminded that Yamaha Caribs has won two of the three local tournaments it has participated in this year, while placing second in the third.

Yamaha Caribs won the William Blackman 15s tournament as well as the Hornets’ Anniversary Sevens tournament, but placed second in the Guyana Rugby Football Union’s Sevens League.

There has been no women’s tournament so far this year, but according to Roberts, Yamaha Caribs’ women are the current defending champions.

He said the men’s national team that is currently in training for a tournament in Mexico includes six of its players including Rugby West Indies and Guyana national captain Claudius Butts, while the national women’s team in training for the women’s version of the championship in Mexico includes eight Yamaha Caribs’ players, including national captain Sabola Gray.

Roberts noted that the sponsorship the club receives from MPS each year helps to offset expenses to the club as well as to assist with the club’s youth development programme.

Yamaha Caribs is currently working with the Covent Garden Secondary School in one of its youth programmes.

Yesterday also saw Mike’s Pharmacy and Leather Land International making donation of trophies to Yamaha Caribs for its 17th anniversary tournament on Sunday, while the Yamaha Caribs donated jerseys to the referees for Sunday’s matches.

The trophies from Mike’s Pharmacy will be contested for in the men’s competition, while the women will vie for the Leather Land International trophies.