Telephone giant GTT signs major sponsorship deal with Amazon Warriors

By Akeem Greene

Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) is now the signature sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the fifth edition of the gala Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

This was disclosed by GTT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd on Tuesday while speaking at a festive ceremony held at the Presidential Suit of the National Stadium, Providence.

“Our sponsorship of the Amazon Warriors is an expression of GTT’s understanding of the Guyanese heart and passion for sport especially cricket”, the CEO stated.

While there was no disclosure on a cost of the sponsorship, the agreement is expected to see the company have the main branding rights for the team as they seek to improve spectators’ experiences at the Stadium.

“GTT and the Guyana Amazon Warriors will blaze the stands and the grass mound on match days in full party mode. We want everyone to embrace what it means to be an Amazon Warrior”, Nedd added.

The CEO also disclosed their “Future Amazon Warrior” in 15 year-old Berbician Seon Glasgow. GTT will immediately provide full sponsorship for his participation in the Sir Garfield Sobers Schools Tournament in Barbados in July.

Glasgow has been selected to be part of the Electra Sports Academy that will be representing Guyana at the tournament.

“We will also pursue Seon’s training with the Guyana Amazon Warriors team here in July in preparation for the CPL Games in August,” Need disclosed.

Likewise, Amazon Warriors, Marketing and Media Officer and Assistant Operations Manager, John Ramsingh revealed that the partnership with GTT would provide more hype among other things. “Our partnership with GTT is aimed at providing more information, more hype, more opportunities to get a chance to see these matches live and even a chance to interact in person with the International, Regional and your own local players”.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones was most enthused about the proceedings since it exemplifies his contention that “government alone cannot undertake the development of sport since corporate support is needed.”

Jones congratulated GTT on the venture and assured that there is willingness to lend whatever support is needed to make the Amazon Warriors successful.

The company also unveiled, the “Amazon Warriors Song”, which is a musical collaboration between two local music stars Calvin Burnett and Drew Thoven.

The league will run from August 4 to September 9 and the Warriors will have four home games during the period of August 17 to 22. The Warriors have been one of the most consistent teams in the league reaching three of the four finals to date.

The Warriors have six newcomers in their squad with Afghanistan leg spinning sensation Rashid Khan heading the list that includes destructive Jamaican wicket-keeper/batsman Chadwick Walton who played for the Tallawahs in the last four seasons.

Big-hitting ICC Americas opener Steven Taylor will also suit up for the Warriors, along with Barbados all-rounder Roshon Primus and the Guyanese pair, batsman Gajanand Singh and fast bowler Keon Joseph, who was a replacement to Ronsford Beaton in the 2013 squad but did not play a match.

The retained players are Pakistani all-rounder Sohail Tanvir, New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Australian middle-order batsman Chris Lynn, Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit, Trinidad and Tobago batsman Jason Mohammed, Guyanese trio Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin and Steven Jacobs and Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper/batsman Steven Katwaroo.

The finals of the tournament will take place at the new Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago from September 5 to 9.