for CAC Rugby C/ship
HOST Guyana has intensified its preparation for the staging of the Central American and Caribbean Games’ 2010 Rugby Seven’s Championship which kicks off on June 24 at the Providence National Stadium.
On Saturday, the Guyana Rugby Football Union switched the local teams’ preparation from its usual place (National Park) to the Providence Stadium in order for the home sides (men’s and women’s) to get accustomed to the stadium where the tournament will be staged over the six-day duration of the two championships.
The tournament itself would be a historic one for Guyana since it will be the first time that rugby will be played at the US$25M facility which was built for the staging of the International Cricket Council’s 2007 World Cup One Day International cricket competition.
On Saturday, much emphasis was placed on the men team’s preparation since the GRFU has until Tuesday to submit its final squad to the CAC organising committee.
However, former secretary of the Union Terry Grant told Chronicle Sport that the final squad was to be named yesterday after a next trial is held and the organising body of the CAC tournament would be furnished with the names of the local side.
Grant, a former national player who has responsibility for overseeing the local referee’s performance leading up to the tournament and during the tournament said he is pleased with the referees’ performance to date and added that he is equally pleased with the local men’s performance and preparation to date.
“Right now everything is centered around the men‘s team since their names have to be submitted to the CAC Organising committee by Tuesday so we’re placing a lot of emphasis on the men’s team.” Grant stated.
He added that apart from Rupert Giles and Dominique Lespierre who are both based in England, all the other players are in Guyana and are attending training sessions. He could not say when the two England based players will be arriving in Guyana.
Meanwhile, member of the Guyana Rugby Referee Society Troy Yhip informed that a raffle will be held during the CAC Championship to raise funds to refurbish the referees changing room at the National Park.
Hip said the winner of the first prize will get a $50,000 gift voucher, compliments of King’s Jewellery World, while the second prize winner will win a trip for two to Arrow Point Resort.
The third place winner will receive a microwave from Mohamed’s Enterprise while the fourth place winner will be rewarded with a cell phone, compliments of Cell Phone Shack.
Twelve consolation prizes are also on offer.