The Guyana National Stadium is next Tuesday, November 26th, expected to be enraptured in the same vibrancy and excitement that engulfs the venue during the Caribbean Premier League. This is as the inaugural ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League gets underway.
Local franchise Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) will come up against 4 other T20 champions from around the world, namely: Pakistan’s Lahore Qalandars, Bangladesh’s Rangpur Riders, Australia’s Victoria Cricket and England’s Hampshire Hawks, with a US$1M prize pool on the line.
During an exclusive sit down with Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday, Director of the GSL T20, Jamie Stewart, discussed the unique opportunity that Guyanese fans have to witness the tournament and be part of cricketing history.
“It’s only really happened once before, and that was over a decade ago. So, it’s a very ambitious project, I guess. You know, everyone loves the Warriors, and now the fans get a chance to see them play against the top Pakistan Super League team, the top Bangladesh Premier League team and the most winningest T20 Blast team from UK in Hampshire. So, it’s very unique. The prize money you’ve seen is significant. Guyana is making history; and I hope, to the fans out there, you’ll come and be part of history with us,” Stewart told this daily publication.
In detailing what fans can expect for the GSL T20, Stewart alluded to a riveting party atmosphere, one similar to the CPL. He explained, “The reason the CPL team has been brought in to help execute this in relatively tight timelines is to deliver to the fans the same sort of experiences they get at CPL. So you can expect more of the big party, more of the party atmosphere, more of the entertainment on and off the field, whether it be Tassa bands, stilt walker, fire breathers, and all of that stuff that people have come to expect from CPL,” he said.
“So, we’re going to have that experience, but this time it’s not the Warriors taking on the rest of the Caribbean, it’s the Warriors taking on the World; and that’s pretty exciting,” he went on to share.
With less than 7 days left to get tickets, Stewart is urging Guyanese fans to do so, highlighting the importance of having a memorable start to the tournament.
“It’s the run to the finish line here,” Stewart joked about the time remaining before the tournament starts.
He further noted, “We want to make sure this is Guyana; bold, confident, dynamic Guyana, projecting itself to the world. And so it’s very important, I think, that in that first match we have a packed stadium beaming out across to literally hundreds of millions of people around the world, who will be watching this event.
“It’s very important we fill the stadium for that first game. I hope the fans will come out to cheer the Warriors against the Lahore team, which are by far the most popular team in the PSL,” he disclosed.
“Things are getting close. I’ve seen posts from the teams waiting at their airports in their respective countries to board flights to make what is a long journey to Guyana. So, we’ll be welcoming them shortly. It’s a big time for Guyana at the moment,” he disclosed.
The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, though in its inaugural year, is pegged to become an annual event; one for which the Director shared both long and short-term goals.
“Stewart explained, “The vision for this event came from the top, and it’s about creating an annual major international sports event for Guyana, one that projects a bold and modern, and I would say ambitious Guyana to the world. But I would say also it’s tapping in to the core passion of the people of Guyana, so it’s also bringing the Guyanese people together under this cause of celebration for the sport everyone loves. So, I would say it’s the jewel objectives of ‘One Guyana’ bringing everyone together to cheer on the teams,” he explained.
“In future years, hopefully, cricket fans from around the world will travel to Guyana; and even if they don’t, the event will be beamed all over the world, and it’s projecting a very ambitious and vibrant Guyana to all of the cricket world,” the GSL T20 Director went on to add.
The GSL T20 will bowl off next Tuesday at the aforementioned venue with the Guyana Amazon Warriors taking on Pakistan’s Lahore Qalandars in the opening match from 19:00hrs.
Tickets for the event, which will conclude on December 7, are available in Berbice at A. Ally and Sons, 15-9 Main and New Streets, New Amsterdam; or Sensation Variety and Gift Shop, 10 Number 78 Public Road, Corriverton.
In Essequibo, tickets are available at ICAN Technologies, 1 Apartment 47 WD’s Mall, Charity; or 53 Cottonfield, Essequibo Coast. and S&N Creole Snackette, Cottonfield Old Road, Essequibo Coast. In addition, the 233-234 Camp Street, Georgetown Box Office is open for ticket sales. (Jemima Holmes)
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