The government of Guyana has once again answered the call of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU).
During a simple ceremony yesterday at the National Park, Minister of Finance, Ashni Singh on behalf of President Donald Ramotar presented a cheque to President of the union, Peter Green valued at $4M.
The funds will be used to offset the ruggers’ expenses in Mexico during the two-day NACRA 7s Championship from December 3.
“You stand a good chance of winning the NACRA Championships, you have done it before and I want to say you have the best wishes of the president on behalf of who I speak of, you have the best wishes of the government, the stakeholders and the Guyanese people” Singh said before handing over the cheque to Green.
The Finance Minister added that “I hope that I can return here to see you with the trophy when you return from Mexico.”
The sum presented yesterday will be used for the Mexico sojourn, but it was also a key step in the ruggers qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Once the six-time NACRA 7s winners are victorious at the December championships, it paves the way for them to compete at the Hong Kong 7s in March free of cost which will then serve as a warm up for the NACRA Championships in June, a qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Singh is confident that the players will make it to Rio.
“I believe based on what I have read that this team has a realistic chance of competing at the 2016 Olympic Games.”
Singh pointed out that “It would be the first time that Guyana would qualify for a team sport and we all know the pride we feel when we see the Golden Arrowhead at an Olympic event, we all look on excited waiting for the Guyanese athletes to come on the field.”
