It is official, Guyana will host matches at next year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup after the ceremonial bat presentation was made to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. at the National Stadium, Providence on Sunday.

Presenting the bat to the Minister was Tournament Director, Fawwaz Baksh, who indicated there is a strategic objective to inspire more young boys and girls to play the sport, and also develop cricket facilities across the region, noting that at the end of the tournament, there will be 21 facilities across the region that meet ICC standards.

The tournament runs from January 14 – February 5 and comprises 16 teams, 64 matches over 28 days in four territories – Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda.

Additionally, Benjamin Leaver, ICC Senior Event Manager, said he has been working with the Under-19 World Cup since 2014 and it is one event that is “close to the hearts of ICC” as it is a dynamic event that showcases the future stars.

Meanwhile, Minister Ramson Jr. expressed the tournament will derive immense economic value to Guyana.

“We quantified internally at the Ministry, that in excess of US$3M in economic value will be coming to Guyana within the month of January. We were not going to allow an opportunity to host a tournament where you are getting that kind of revenue stream indirectly or directly into the country and let that flitter away,” the Minister stated
Guyana is now the only territory to have hosted all ICC events awarded to the West Indies, namely the Men’s 50-Over World Cup (2007), Men’s World T20 (2010), Women’s World T20 (2018), and now Men’s Under-19 World Cup (2022).

Ramson Jr. indicated that Guyana’s hosting agreement was in “jeopardy” due to torrential rain, which left some venues under water a day before the ICC team returned to inspect.

He further highlighted the phenomenal teamwork to ensure the country remained a host as there are ongoing works to clear outfalls and nearby drains to reduce the flooding around the facilities, in particular, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC).

There will be free entry to watch cricket’s future stars as, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, CWI has stipulated fans should visit www.u19cwc.com/tickets to get free tickets to allow organisers to control the number of spectators attending.