Cricket in Guyana – Guyana Chronicle

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CRICKET is much more than a game of sports. It is a regional institution, uniting all nationalities and cultures in the Anglo-phone Caribbean. Nowhere is this fact more manifested than in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Both the finals and semi-finals were played in Guyana at the Providence Stadium which was transformed into a sea of entertainment, the likes of which were unmatched in any other region of the world. Such was the extent of the success of the tournament that a new variant of the games have been launched- the Global Super League-which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and Latin America.

There is a positive correlation between sports and economic development. This was particularly evident during the CPL matches in Guyana. Almost all of the hotels in and around Georgetown were filled to the full limit of their capacity. The same was true for restaurants and other places of entertainment. The mood was one of festivity with a Carnival-like atmosphere.

It is this reality that no doubt influenced the decision to have a global super league scheduled for November this year. Chairman of the Global Super League, former Captain of the West Indies cricket team Sir Clive Lloyd has correctly observed that the passion for cricket in Guyana rivals that of fans anywhere.

In a real sense, the setting up of this cricket league is a celebration of our love for the game of cricket and our rich culture. Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has pledged the government’s full support for the new Global Super League which will include the Amazon Warriors and several other teams from around the cricketing world. This undoubtedly is a major development which will bring this country of ours on the international spotlight. Guyana is already making a name for itself as a regional powerhouse and the introduction of the games will further catapult Guyana in the league of the bigger cricketing nations. In all of this, full credit must be given to President Ali who has been instrumental in the hosting of the CPL finals and semi-finals for three consecutive years including 2025.

It will be recalled that the political opposition was critical of the construction of the Marriot Hotel and had disparagingly described the hotel as a ‘white elephant’. They have all been proven wrong and even with the addition of a number of new hotels and the construction of several more, finding suitable accommodation in Georgetown still remains a challenge for tourists.

Vision, it is said, is the ability to see beyond the immediate. Both President Ali and Vice-president Jagdeo has displayed visionary leadership qualities which have had and continues to have a transformative impact on the country. Indeed, the future of Guyana is in safe hands especially at this time of significant challenges at the international level as a consequence of wars, conflicts, climate change and the Covid-pandemic. Despite of this all, Guyana’s economic remain robust and resilient. The country’s international profile has never been higher. Guyana is today playing a lead role on critical global issues such as climate change and food and energy security.

The CPL games may be over but the celebrations continue. The coming global super league matches scheduled for next month will certainly provide fresh impetus to the celebratory mood of the Guyanese people.

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