Gyana's rugby players are due to undergo four days of rigorous training under the direction of Technical Director and West Indies Captain Joe Whipple as they gear-up for the Caribbean championships in Mexico next month.

Two of the three overseas-based players: England-based Kevin McKenzie and Trinidad and Tobago-based Richard Staglon are due in the country this week to join the squad’s preparation for the games which for the first time, will be used as a qualifying match for the Commonwealth Games set for India in October, 2010.

Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) president Noel Adonis told Stabroek Sport that the third overseas-based player Rupert Giles, may not be able to join the team until it meets Mexico as he is attending school and may not be given time-off. He expects the 12-player team to be selected at month end, two weeks ahead of the games set for November 14 and 15 in Mexico City.

Adonis said too due to the media hype about the team’s past performance and preparation for the North America and Caribbean Rugby Association Sevens Championship its fundraising efforts have netted positive gains. He said the GRFU is close to raising the US$35,000 needed for the team’s travel and accommodation expenses. “We are getting there,” he said, though he declined to give the figure raised so far. He also said government has yet to respond to the request for assistance but “we are still open to contributions.”

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