The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) has stepped in to sponsor the Guyana leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Race of Champions meet set for November 13 at the newly resurfaced South Dakota Circuit.
According to GT&T CEO Yog Mahadeo, the company has pledged almost $30M to the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) over the next three years. At a presentation ceremony held on Thursday evening, Mahadeo said though he did not have the exact figures, the company was pleased to be a part of motor racing in Guyana. He was also confident that the partnership would thrive, as GT&T was proud of “being the heartbeat of Guyana.”
The first leg of the Race was held in Jamaica in May before it moved to Bushy Park, Barbados in August. Guyanese drivers did not participate in the first leg of the championships though they are the defending champions.
In his address, Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad said that he was pleased with the high standards of the meets as it has helped to boost tourism numbers.
He said the meets bring more visitors to Guyana than cricket, the most popular sport in the Caribbean. The minister estimates that over 12,000 people will be here next month for the meet, noting that government will continue to support the event as it helps to market the country. Prashad also said it is heart warming to see past presidents and executives playing active roles in the sport, 56 years after the Club was established.
While congratulating the GMR&SC executives, Sport Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, called on other sport associations to emulate the business model the Club has adopted. He noted that the Club’s hosting of the high quality meets that he has come to know, is no easy task and lauded the business acumen of the organisers. Anthony also challenged them to surpass their accomplishments as the years roll on. Meanwhile, president of the GMR&SC John Carpenter, who also headed the body from 1991-1992, thanked GT&T for its contribution and promised that the event will be one of high quality.
He also gave assurances that the competition will be keen especially since all the drivers and countries are vying for the coveted title of ‘Best in the Region’.
