President Jagdeo applauds Chanderpaul

– Witnesses historic double century

Georgetown, GINA, April 1, 2005

President Bharrat Jagdeo was at the record-breaking test match between West Indies and South Africa, when Guyana’s Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored his double century today.

H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo among the jubilant fans at Bourda as West Indies Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul scores his double century.

The Head of State took time off from an important meeting to join the thousands at the Bourda Cricket Ground to witness the remarkable double century coming from the West Indies Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

The President sat with the nervous spectators as the captain scored 199 runs. The crowd went up in cheers as the record breaking 200 was scored. Immediately after the Captain scored his double century on his home soil, the West Indies declared at 543 runs for five wickets.

President Jagdeo was among the first to congratulate the West Indies Captain on his remarkable performance.

The Test Series against South Africa at the Bourda Cricket Ground that got underway on March 31.

Chanderpaul is the first ever Captain to hit a double century in the first test match of their Captaincy, setting a record.

President Jagdeo had also intervened to make the local radio broadcast of cricket possible. NCN has for the past several months been seeking to raise the US$40,000 or $8M from advertisers to meet the cost of cricket commentary on radio from the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

NCN had indicated that the cost for the ‘Radio Rights’ was too prohibitive as well as the television, which is being sold at US$50,000. The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, the Guyana Cricket Board of Control and the local private sector were earlier this year enlisted to convince CMC to reduce its price or to assist NCN in raising the amount required.

His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo on March 31 at Bourda Cricket Ground indicated that the Government will assist NCN in raising the required amount to pay for the cricket commentary on radio.

Source: GINA