… preparations continue for team
KING’S Jewellery World began their maiden voyage with the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) as the National team prepares for the Rugby USA Las Vegas Invitational Sevens Tournament which is scheduled for February 9 – 11. The New GPC also climbed aboard with the union for the third consecutive year to assist in making the Guyana team’s participation possible.
Yesterday in a press briefing held by the GRFU at Olympic House,   Marketing Director of King’s Jewellery World, Ralph Persaud, and New GPC’s Marketing Assistant Sabrina Chitram directed their speeches down the same road as they expressed their pleasure of being able to support the union, and wished them well for the tournament.
The union resorted to seeking support from the corporate sector following an issue which arose lately and caused their budget to be increased.
According to president of the GRFU, Kit Nascimento, when Guyana was invited to the tournament a budget of US$25 000 was presented to government, an amount which His Excellency Donald Ramotar willingly presented to the union.
However, by the time the money was received, airfare and accommodation had increased thus causing the budget to be increased by US$6 000.
The GRFU managed to attain the additional expenses with the help of the two previously mentioned sponsors along with the Scotiabank, Correia Group of Companies, DeSinco Trading and BEV Processes.
Robin Roberts, the team’s manager, extended their gratitude to the US Embassy for granting the team visas. Only Richard Staglon, Ronald Mayers and Ryan Hinckson have not acquired visas because they are due in Guyana over the weekend.
Meanwhile, with just under two weeks left to prepare for the tournament, head coach of the team, Theodore Henry, thinks his team is around eight on a scale of ten where fitness is concerned but thinks they should be fully prepared by next Friday.
Henry noted that Guyana’s fitness has been their downfall in these high level tournaments due to a withering on the second day of competition.
He said over this weekend they well be trying to stimulate the Las Vegas scenario with five games over the two days. Today three games will be played from 17:00hrs while two games will be staged from 10:00hrs.
The team suffered injury setbacks as Peabo Hamilton and Troy Bascom were forced out of the Las Vegas team and possibly the Hong Kong Sevens which is set for March