PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday met members of the Guyana National Sevens rugby team who participated in the just concluded International Rugby Board’s World Sevens championship in Los Angeles. The local ruggers, despite not finishing among the top three teams in that championship, performed creditably and have earned the respect of the rugby-playing nations, among them being the world’s number one team New Zealand.
By qualifying for the IRB World Series Championship, the local ruggers have also qualified to represent the Caribbean Region for this year’s Commonwealth Games which will be held in Delhi, India, later this year.
While President Jagdeo did not disclose his government’s financial support for the team’s participation in the Commonwealth Games, he did confirm that his government would support the team.
Efforts by Chronicle Sport to ascertain how much funding the Government would provide to the GRFU for its team participation in the Commonwealth Games proved futile.
Speaking at yesterday’s presser, Guyana Rugby Football Union president Christopher `Kit’ Nascimento acknowledged the presence of President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Sport  Dr Frank Anthony.
Nascimento reminded that this is the fourth consecutive year that Guyana’s ruggers have won the Caribbean championship and said he is looking forward to government’s support for the Commonwealth Games later this year.
Nascimento also used the opportunity to call for government support for the hosting of the Central American and Caribbean Championship which will be held in Guyana in another few months.
President Jagdeo in brief remarks noted that persons may ask the question: Why such a sudden interest in rugby? and stated that the reason is that the local rugby players have been very successful over the past few years
“… cricket and football have been getting lots of support, both at the corporate and government levels.”
He said at times it’s hard to prioritise what sport should be given recognition, but noted that rugby is on the move, not only in Guyana, but in the Region.
President Jagdeo also used the opportunity to let the public know that his government would be spending quite a lot of money on the development of sports this year, including the completion of an international-size swimming pool and the laying of a synthetic track for athletes.