President signals support for proposed Commonwealth cricket tournament

President David Granger on Thursday received a courtesy call from Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, who is currently in Guyana to attend the Workshop for Judges and Prosecutors, which is being hosted by Commonwealth Secretariat and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

The Secretary General informed the Head of State of a proposal to host a Commonwealth Cricket Cup for 19-year old boys and girls from Commonwealth countries.

She explained that cricket is a game that is universally enjoyed in the Commonwealth and a championship like this will not only open doors for youths, attract people and investments to the Caribbean region, but will also serve as a vehicle for cultural exchange.

Additionally, she said that the Caribbean leg of the series will raise money for a fund, which will be dedicated to the rebuilding of islands affected by hurricanes.

Already, several CARICOM Heads have given their nod of approval for the plan to move forward and Baroness Scotland said that she has also reached out of cricket legends such as Sir Vivian Richards, Clive Lloyd and Mr. Keith Bradshaw from Australia and they have all expressed their willingness to lend their support to this initiative.

President Granger too, after listening to Baroness Scotland, has signalled Guyana’s support for the venture.

During their brief engagement, which was held at State House, the President also commended the Secretary-General on the success of the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting under her tenure, which was held last month in London.

Baroness Scotland, in turn, spoke highly of President Granger’s address at that forum, which she said evoked a deeper sense of appreciation in Heads of Government for the vulnerability of small states as a result of climate change.