PM leads Guyana’s leg of King’s Baton Relay

Scores of athletes and administrators took to the streets of Georgetown on Sunday morning for the King’s Baton Relay, in anticipation of this year’s Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, Scotland.
Led by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President Godfrey Munroe, the baton made its way from the Umana Yana to the Seven Ponds in the Botanical Gardens.

“This symbolises what the Commonwealth Games represent – community, unity and using this as a vehicle for improving lives, citizenship, among other things,” GOA President Munroe shared when they gathered at the Seven Ponds, “So, it’s good as a community that we could come together and show our solidarity for 1) sports; 2) as a Commonwealth nation but more particularly, the theme for this year, which is ensuring we use sport as a vehicle, emphasising what we do with our environment, in terms of protecting our environment.”
Ramson Jr went on to emphasise the importance of the Commonwealth, even in Guyana’s own recent history.
He informed, “It’s the values that the Commonwealth represents, which is democracy, human rights, the rule of law, shared prosperity and development. All those things are important for us here in Guyana, there’s no question about that. And even when we were challenged in 2020, it was the Commonwealth, amongst others, that stood with us.

“The Commonwealth is important because it is a group of nations that share the same values, the same ideas, but we can learn from them, we can have close partnerships with them, share trade and resources and also advance human capital and development. I’m here because I’m a supporter,” the Sport Minister reminded.
Also sharing remarks was PM Phillips, who expressed pride in Sunday’s activity while pledging support for Guyana’s participation in the Games.
Phillips expressed, “I’m proud to be here with you this morning as we have the Baton Relay.”
“I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of our President, our Government and the people of Guyana to express to our athletes who will be going to Glasgow, that you have our 100 per cent support, as you represent Guyana and participate in the Commonwealth Games,” the Prime Minister assured.
He added, “So, Guyana will continue to uphold the values of the Commonwealth of Nations, Guyana will continue to support the ideals of the Commonwealth, we will support the development of sports in Guyana.”
Following the King’s Baton Relay, the athletes and administrators moved over to the Kingston Beach where the GOA spearheaded a clean-up exercise, in keeping with this year’s theme.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled for July 23 to August 2.