The iconic Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) is currently undergoing significant rehabilitation works in order to meet the mandatory requirements to host practice matches at next month’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 50-Over World Cup.
To help with the costs attached to the upgrade, Mohamed’s Enterprise on Wednesday donated G$2 million to the club. President Timothy Tucker called it a “significant gesture” and “the first from the business community.”
In an invited comment, a spokesperson for Mohamed’s Enterprise stated the business was more than willing to support a pillar of sporting history in Guyana and urged other members of the business community to replicate such efforts.
Tucker stated they have also gotten support from Unique Distributors, while the government has pledged G$5 million.
The President indicated that the monies are going mainly towards the rehabilitation of the dressing rooms, which have not been refurbished since 2005 when the venue last hosted International Cricket.
That budget is pegged at G$6 million. From the outside, the club has already replaced the zinc fence behind the members’ pavillion with a concrete structure.
With regards to the overall rehabilitation of one of the oldest cricket venues in the Caribbean, Tucker said over the past year, they have been repainting the Members’ Pavillion and the Rohan Khani Stand.
They have also pulled down the shaded area at Kenny Wishart stand, and replanted grass on the outfield which has the ground in “impeccable condition”, Tucker added.
According to the President, the major issue that remains are the two “sight screen buildings”, which he explained GCC “does not have control over”, as they are “controlled by the Guyana Cricket Board.”
The President said they are looking to gain control of at least the building at the North Road end to do rehabilitation works.
The building at the Regent Street end houses the administrative office of the Guyana Cricket Board.
For the Under-19 World Cup, Guyana will host teams such as India, Uganda, Scotland, South Africa, Ireland, Sri Lanka, along with Australia and West Indies, who play the tournament opener at the National Stadium, Providence.
These eight teams will play 12 matches – warm-up and group matches – over a seven-day period and teams will be arriving from January 2.
The first warm-up match is on January 9 and the final fixture in Guyana on January 15.
Matches will be held at the National Stadium, Everest Cricket Club and Georgetown Cricket Club, while practice sessions will be staged at the Enmore Community Centre ground, Demerara Cricket Club, and Police Sports Club.
