ExxonMobil has confirmed its title sponsorship of the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the third year running. The South America-based franchise will carry the company’s name on its kit for the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League, set to bowl off on Wednesday.
All the players, with the exception of Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan and local duo Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, were on hand to witness the unveiling of the partnership at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.
After Team Operations Manager Omar Khan introduced the members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad, ExxonMobil Country Manager Rod Henson and Guyana Amazon Warriors representative Zulfikar Ally offered remarks.
“It’s been a long wait and now it’s finally CPL time again…and it really couldn’t come at a better time. You know sports has a way of bringing people together for the love of the game. Sports has a way of allowing people to forget about their troubles and forget about their worries, and honestly it’s really nice just to be able to talk about something other than elections or first oil,” Henson told the gathering.
Henson reflected on the sweet memories of the 2018 season, specifically the thrilling game between the Warriors and eventual champions Trinbago Knight Riders at Providence, adding that he is looking forward to more great moments in the coming weeks.
“The Amazon Warriors represent the diversity of Guyana and the team has very similar values to ExxonMobil. We both try to accomplish our jobs with excellence. We want to be the best, but we also want to partner with communities to provide benefits to these communities, and like ExxonMobil over the years, the Amazon Warriors have participated in a number of social programmes,” Henson highlighted.
Ally stated that the franchise is pleased to have ExxonMobil for a third season, expressing confidence that the squad assembled would do well again this year.
“Hopefully we will bring the title home. I think (for) every Guyanese, that is our dream for the past six tournaments we’ve had, but I think this year the guys would do us proud,” Ally said.
The Warriors, four-time finalists, are seeking a maiden CPL title. They get their campaign underway on Thursday against St. Lucia Zouks at Providence from 18:00h.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad reads: Shadab Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Shoaib Malik, Shimron Hetmyer, Ben Lauglin, Chris Green, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Brandon King, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Keagan Simmons, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Veerasammy, Permaul, Anthony Bramble and Clinton Pestano.
