On Sunday afternoon the aircraft carrying the victorious Guyana team which won the CWI Rising Stars Regional Women’s U-19 T20 tournament in Trinidad touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timheri just after 16:00 hours.
While the Tassa and Congo drummers produced pulsating rhythms which had some of the arriving passengers ‘bussing a wine’ and maybe thought the lavish welcome was for them… then the Champions appeared.
The excited young lasses were met by the GCB President, the Assistant Director of Sport Frankie Wilson and their families.
Wilson gave the opening remarks and congratulated the triumphant girls for their outstanding performance.
“We are getting accustomed to being here to welcome home our Athletes when they win medals or titles and this is why we are doing this for you today.
“Three of you have made the West Indies team, which is great news for Guyana” Wilson told the gathering.
The three Guyanese Girls to be selected for the West Indies Camp are Denellie Mannas, Realanna Grimmond and Trisha Hardat.
There was a riveting dance sequence performed by the Riverside Angles who have performed on every occasion since the Guyana Government, through NSC, initiated these ‘welcome home’ ceremonies to honour Guyana’s outstanding sportsmen and sportswomen.
GCB President Bissoon Singh said his Board must be doing something right since Guyana has won the First-Class title and now the girls have won the U19 T20 title.
Singh, a Director of the CWI, showed how diverse this team was by pointing out that the girls came from most parts of Guyana including the hinterland.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Pariag, spoke on behalf of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson who was unavoidably absent.
Minister Pariag said she was a big cricket fan and informed that the nation and government are very proud of the girls’ achievements.
“I remember as a little girl growing up in Essequibo my dad would take me to watch cricket at the Hampton Court when regional matches were played there.
I am happy you girls won a T20 competition since I am impatient and T20 is my favourite cricket” the Minister added.
Minister Pariag told the gathering which was made up of a large percentage of females that President Ali has set up a programme to empower girls and women.
“You Girls are great examples of what females can achieve and as a Woman, I am extremely proud of you all.
“Some girls play cricket for fun but now that you representing Guyana it has now become your work and I hope that you can stay in the game.
It is said that the sky is the limit but I want to tell you to always give of your best and reach for the stars.
Be consistent and work hard because consistency and hard work bring success and success bring confidence.
If you make a duck that does not mean you are no good, it means you have to work harder to do what you did in this tournament.
We know you can do well because you have done it already and remember that consistency and hard work bring success,” the Minister emphasised.
The Guyana female U-19 team won its first T20 tournament in 2017 in Trinidad. On that occasion, former West Indies Women’s player and level 3 Coach Shemaine Smartt, who is the Manager of this team, was then the coach.
This team was coached by Clive Grimmond who has been the coach for the past three years.
