Top horses on show in 2nd Digicel/Ansa McAl Horserace Classic event

Horserace lovers clamoring for more exciting and qualitative races could now rest easy following the announcement of a grand horserace meet organized by the interim management committee of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) in association with telephone giants and beverage magnates, Digicel and Ansa McAl, respectively.

From left, Ansa McAl’s PRO, Darshanie Yusuff, organizer, Compton Sancho, Justice Cecil Kennard and advertising Manager, Ramesh Rupchand at yesterday’s forum.

Dubbed the 2nd Digicel Horse Race Classic, activities will take place at the Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club, #6 Village Corentyne on Sunday July 22 next and will see some of the nation’s best thoroughbreds on show.
The programme is enjoying sponsorship from Digicel, in partnership with Ansa McAl and yesterday afternoon, several administrators of both organizations joined members of the organizing committee at the Herdmanston House, Peter Rose Street, Queenstown to unveil the sponsorship package and brief media operatives of the thrill in store for turfites.
Digicel was represented by Manager Gavin Hope and Public Relations Officer, Shonette Moore, while Ansa McAl’s representatives included Public Relations Officer, Darshanie Yusuff, Nigel Worrell and Advertising Manager, Ramesh Rupchand. Interim chairman of the GHRA, Justice Cecil Kennard was also in attendance as was organizer, Compton Sancho.
Ms Moore expressed delight on behalf of her company for once again being afforded the opportunity to be good corporate citizens. She reminded of Digicel’s commitment to such activities ever since it has acquiesced to support the first edition of the meet. She said that the Digicel top brass has been extremely pleased by the organizing techniques of the officials at the conclusion of activities last year that they had readily agreed to sponsor this year’s event.
Ansa McAl would be sponsoring the event under the Carib Beer label and Ms Yussuf also expressed delight at receiving an opportunity to contribute to the development of the sport. She said that the main objective of her firm was to ensure that the communities benefit from its input. She also said that while her firm has been sponsoring other sports activities, it has not been deeply involved in horseracing. “It is the confidence demonstrated by Digicel which prompted our involvement and Ansa McAl is delighted to join forces with the telephone company,” concluded Ms Yusuf.
Mr. Rupchand endorsed Yussuf’s sentiments while informing that Digicel’s executives are currently planning a grand concert to cap activities at the meet. He said that it was all a part of the public oriented spirit of Digicel.
Mr. Kennard was indeed grateful for the support received from the two corporate giants and aptly expressed these feelings. He issued a call for the involvement of more corporate entities but admitted that sports organizations should merit the support by the way they administrate. He said that the inability of executives of the former GHRA to properly administrate the sport has seen the installment of the current IMC. The chairman promised to rectify this anomaly even as he issued a call for the enactment of the requisite legislation towards the smooth running of the sport.
Mr. Kennard concluded by assuring sponsors that all efforts are being made to ensure that they receive value for their money. He listed two pressing concerns currently receiving attention. These include punctuality relating to the commencement of meets as well as adequate spacing of meets to avoid overcrowding.
Mr. Sancho admitted that Digicel’s input was timely and very welcome. He opined that such support has resulted in massive improvement within the fraternity.  This includes larger prizes, the involvement of foreign jockeys and horses which translates to more qualitative races.