Guyana President Irfaan Ali is urging fellow Guyanese to come out in their numbers and support the West Indies team at the upcoming World T20 matches in Guyana.
The two-time champions will commence their campaign in the month-long tournament on June 2 against Papua New Guinea at the National Stadium, Providence.
President Ali received the coveted trophy at the State House on Tuesday evening, surrounded by dignitaries, including Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, President of the Guyana Cricket Board Bissoondyal Singh, former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, and current Guyana and West Indies players Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach and Kevin Sinclair.
The President expressed his full backing for the West Indies team, champions in 2012 and 2016, to reclaim the trophy on home soil and etch their name in history as the first team to win the tournament as hosts.
“The trophy is right where it belongs, that is in the West Indies,” President Ali asserted.
“We need everyone in region to come out and back the West Indies. We need Guyana to come out and back the West Indies, and I’m sure with the loudness of our collective voice we can inspire our boys to lift the trophy.”
Highlighting Guyana’s history of hosting vibrant and successful cricket events, President Ali emphasised the country’s ambition to become a hub for entertainment and sport.
He urged fans to secure their tickets early to be part of the action during the June 1-29 tournament.
Guyana will host five group matches from June 2-8, followed by the second semi-final on June 27 at the National Stadium, Providence.
Physical ticket sales is ongoing at the Guyana Cricket Board office on Regent Street.
Schedule for Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 matches at the National Stadium, Providence:
Sunday, June 2: West Indies v Papua New Guinea- 10:30h
Monday, June 3: Afghanistan v Uganda- 20:30h
Wednesday, June 5: Papua New Guinea v Uganda- 19:30h
Friday, June 7: New Zealand v Afghanistan- 19:30h
Saturday, June 8: West Indies v Uganda- 20:30h
Thursday, June 27: Semi-final Two- 10:30h