“ON behalf of the Government of Guyana, I wish you all the best in South Africa and hope you are successful, and by successful I am talking about you coming back to these shores with the Airtel Champions League T20 trophy,”
Those were the encouraging words communicated to the Guyana T20 team from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony at the Princess Hotel yesterday morning, before he bid the team farewell.
The Ramnaresh Sarwan-led Guyana team who are the reigning Caribbean T20 champions left these shores to compete in the second edition of the Airtel CLT20, where they are placed n Group B, competing against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Lions and South Australia.
“We have been following y our progress and we are very pleased with what you have done so far, coming out of the Caribbean tournament as champions, along with your performance at Providence last weekend.
“We feel that the team is well composed and you have the right skills both mentally and physically to go out there and give of your best and for that, we are proud of you,” stated Dr Anthony.
He added: “On our part, we will be working with every Guyanese here to rally behind this team for when you go out there, you are not just representing the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), but yourself.
“You are also representing the entire Guyana and because you have won the Caribbean T20 competition, you are by extension, representing the West Indies and once again we are proud of you for that.”
Dr Anthony informed the squad which includes the Caribbean’s new find Jonathan Foo along with West Indies players Narsingh Deonarine, Travis Dowlin and Sewnarine Chattergoon and the veteran Lennox Cush to make a big impact on the tournament.
“We know that you will do your best for us and we would like to inform you to go out there and make a big impact on this tournament like no other team has ever done, that’s why we came up with the name ‘Amazon Conquerors’ for the team.
“You will be going out there to conquer the other teams and with the Ministry of Tourism promoting Guyana as a destination, the Amazon Adventure, to the other parts of the world. Seeing that we have a unique eco-tourism product, we felt that with you going on the world stage and playing the game of cricket, you can help promote Guyana.
“Your clothing would reflect Guyana as the Amazon Adventure and we urge you to take every available opportunity you get to promote your country to the best of your ability, even as you conquer the opposition that is placed in front of you,” stated Dr Anthony.
In the presence of Director of Sport Neil Kumar, president of the GCB Chetram Singh and other GCB executives, Dr Anthony urged the Guyanese to go forward in South Africa, do their best and bring back the trophy, while wishing them all the best on behalf of His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo and the entire nation.
In his thank-you speech, Singh, who along with secretary of the GCB Anand Sanasie and senior chairman of selectors Claude Raphael would be travelling with the team, thanked the Government for their sponsorship and vowed to return with the trophy.
“I can stand here safely this morning and say that this team is ready for the job ahead and they are going to South Africa to do so. They are aware of their responsibilities having won the Caribbean T20 and they are ready to represent the West Indies.
“They will do their best and I am certain that the next time you see this team, you will see them with the Airtel CLT20 championship trophy in their hands and they intend to prove to all and sundry that Guyana is the powerhouse of West Indies cricket,” said Singh.
Prior to the brief speeches, national all-rounder Esaun Crandon led the team in a prayer session, wherein the unity of the team was displayed as they formed a circle in the lobby of the Princess Hotel, with their arms around each other’s shoulders.
Both Dr Anthony and Kumar were presented with an official GCB hat by Sarwan and Foo, after which a photo opportunity was taken before the 23-man squad left for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Guyana play their first game on Sunday against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Supersport Park, Centurion, before they engage Mumbai Indians in Kingsmead, Durban four days later.
Their next match will be against Lions, a team from the host nation on  September 19 at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, before they face South Australia at the same venue on  September 21.
The Guyana team reads Ramnaresh Sarwan (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Travis Dowlin, Richard Ramdeen, Christopher Barnwell, Jonathan Foo, Royston Crandon, Derwin Christian, Lennox Cush, Steven Jacobs, Assad Fudadin, Paul Wintz, Devendra Bishoo and Narsingh Deonarine.
Officials: Ravindranauth Seeram (coach), Carl Moore (manager), Orin Bailey (trainer), Beverly Nelson (physiotherapist), Robin Singh (video analyst), Chetram Singh, Anand Sanasie and Claude Raphael (GCB executives).