MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, yesterday, on behalf of President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Government of Guyana, gave the Guyana Rugby Football Union, The Guyana Defence Force Football Club (GDF FC) and The Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United Football Club three cheques to the tune of G$7M that are intended to provide a much-needed boost to the three sport entities as they prepare to represent Guyana in upcoming engagements.
At the presentation ceremony that was described as simple but significant by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King, it was noted that President Jagdeo had made clear his intention to intervene and assist in the development of the not so popular sports of which Rugby is one.
The President had promised during a colloquy session he had with the local ruggers Friday last, that his Government would provide them with funding for their participation in this year’s Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi, India in October.
President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento, who was present to receive the cheque to the order of G$2M on behalf of his organisation, said that during last week’s meeting President Jagdeo and himself discussed the support that would be needed for the national sevens team to make their appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
Nascimento said that even the preparation for a competition of that magnitude would fetch a hefty sum since it is the GRFU’s intention to get the Sevens team into a training camp prior to the start of the Commonwealth Games. “Now that we have a world class team and are playing at the highest level, they must play high level rugby to be able to compete,” said Nascimento.
The WIRU president alluded to the fact that the United States and Canadian rugby teams train together and the aim is to have the local team join in this initiative. According to him the money received will be put to that use. Nascimento said that he believes that every sporting fraternity that benefits from such donations should be able to account for its spending and he assured that such will be done by the GRFU.
The sport of football was also on the receiving end of the Government’s generosity yesterday as a total of G$5M went to Alpha United and the Guyana Defence Force’s preparation for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championships
President of Alpha United FC, Odinga Lumumba, accepted the $2M that was allotted to his club with gratitude being showered on Minister Anthony and  President Jagdeo, who he says is always supportive of football. Lumumba recalled an instance from his time as President of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) when President Jagdeo donated $500 000 to each of the affiliate member clubs.
The Presidential Adviser on Empowerment, who promised to show value for money, related that the donation will be very helpful as his team not only wants to play in the CFU Championships but also in the CONCACAF tournament.
Captain Eon Murray of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) expressed his heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Chief-of-Staff and all ranks of the GDF for what he described as a timely donation. He went further to say that the contribution also serves as encouragement for the team and he assured that it will be put to good use.
In his remarks Dr Anthony said that he is very pleased to be able to help the organisations, he related that when President Jagdeo visited the GRFU he touched upon the fecundity of their exploits and the recognition that it is gaining for Guyana worldwide. He also made mention of the international tournament that will be held here later in the year.
He also lauded the football fraternity for their successes in the development of their discipline and he noted that as such football has been the recipient of a number of initiatives which will continue to flow.