Carnival fever to hit GFC with STAG 7s Rugby

The Guyana Carnival Committee and the Pepsi Hornets Rugby Club have realigned forces to host the STAG Beer Guyana Carnival Sevens tournament on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club, Bourda.

Journalist Rawle Toney, the principal behind the initiative, stated all is set for the second edition of the event, which is the only sporting event on the Guyana Carnival Calendar.

Speaking to News Room Sport Friday, he stated Trinidad and Tobago’s Northern Rugby Club will join the fight for the winner’s purse of US$1,400, while the team finishing second will pocket US$700. There’s also a US$100 prize for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

Other teams are defending champions Pepsi Hornets, Guyana Police Force, Yamaha Caribs and Panthers.

Hornets are expected to be boosted by the likes of Abdullah Silverton, arguably one of the best players in the Twin Island Republic, and Blaise Bailey, returning from the United States. However, the organiser felt the visitors will be the team to beat along with the youthful Panthers unit.

Toney indicated players will want to use the tournament to fine tune their skills ahead of Caribbean Sevens tournament in July.

The move from the usual base in the National Park is a result of the hardness of the surface despite the recent rain. Toney explained that Park is known for its family atmosphere, but GFC can offer similar and has the benefit of lights which the final will be played under.

Teams will contest on a round-robin format, with the top two teams progressing to the final.

Ansa McAl Trading Limited through the Stag Beer brand, Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sports and Ramps Logistics are the corporate partners of the one-day event.

Action starts at 13:00h and admission is free.