Guyana contributed the sum of US$50,000 to the opening ceremony of Cricket World Cup 2007 and was represented even though the country did not send any artistes to the event.

Asked why Guyana did not send any local performers to Sunday’s event held at the newly-built Trelawny Stadium in Jamaica, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony told Stabroek News that Guyana like some other host venues took the decision not to send any artistes because of the limited time each country was given to perform.

He said Jamaica was awarded the right to host the opening ceremony and he felt that country did an excellent job at showcasing what the Caribbean region, including Guyana, exemplifies.

Dr Anthony was at the opening as a representative of the Chairman of the Guyana Local Organising Committee as well as a representative of the government. Also there from Guyana were President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Chetram Singh and Guyana’s CWC 2007 representative Clifford Reis.

Anthony said that when the Super Eight Matches are being played in Guyana later this month, Guyana would have ample opportunity to showcase its culture through a number of performances during the lunch break.

In addition, he noted that there would also be cultural performances at the National Park, the National Cultural Centre, the Roots and Rhythms Show at the National Exhibition Centre at Sophia and at the Umana Yana which a group out of New York has rented for putting on Guyanese cultural programmes. (Miranda La Rose)