GCB confident of hosting ICC Under-19 World Cup matches

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has expressed confidence that they will be able to host matches at next year’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup which will be held in the Caribbean.

The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will be hosted by Cricket West Indies from January 4 to February 3, 2022.

According to a press release, a team of officials representing the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) visited Guyana over the past weekend to inspect venues ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022.

Guyana, through Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., had submitted a bid to host the initial stage of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. The venue inspection was aimed at determining Guyana’s readiness for this major international event.

The ICC team included a number of planning experts in Ben Leaver, Joanna Taylor, Andy Atkinson, Ruchika Rana, Hamish Roberts, and Roberto Almansa.

The CWI representatives were Tournament Director Fawwaz Baksh, Event Manager KJ Singh, Head Curator Kent Crafton, and representatives Krystal Jean-Baptiste and Marcus Francis.

They were joined by GCB’s officials: Secretary Ronald Williams, Chief Executive Officer/Public Relation Officer Claude Raphael, Assistant Secretary Devteerth Anandjit, Technocrat on Marketing and Financing, Anil Beharry, and Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart. Experienced Venue Manager Sabrina Panday was also present.

On September Saturday 4, the team visited the National Stadium, Providence, the GCB’s LBI Facility, Malteenoes Sports Club, Guyana Defence Force Ground, and Enmore Community Centre.

Similar inspections were conducted on September 5 at Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Everest Cricket Club, and Police Sports Club.

The President of the GCB Bissoondyal Singh has expressed his satisfaction with the visit, positing that the ICC/CWI team was very professional in its approach.

He opined that the forthcoming report on the inspection will indicate what standards were met and what measures need to be undertaken.

Singh was also pleased that the ICC and CWI representatives were able to meet with Minister Ramson Jr.

Furthermore, the GCB President Singh expressed confidence that with the invaluable support of the Minister and by extension the Government of Guyana, they will ensure that all venues assigned to the tournament will meet the ICC standards by mid-November 2021 when another inspection is expected. (GCB)