“Sport is the best market” – Walsh

Commemorated with a ceremonial ball by Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues, who fended off the delivery well, 519 Guyana was officially commissioned on Wednesday night.
The restaurant and bar with a sports atmosphere is patronised by Jamaican-born West Indies legend Courtney Walsh, who declared sport to be the best market in the Caribbean.
Walsh declared, “Yeah, definitely, and Sport tourism works well. I think that’s something we probably need to do around the region in terms of twinning sports and tourism together because, look at it, tourists coming in and sport is our best market. So, that’s what we need to do, and if it can be done, can be extended, then that’s a win-win for everybody.”

On the sidelines of the event, Walsh reflected on his start in the business arena, which was also influenced by sport.
“We had one in Jamaica, Cuddy’s, that came about when I went to South Africa the first time and saw a sports café, and I said it would be something nice for me to get involved with. Then we start speaking to Trinidad, and they had preferred the 519 brand, and we started it there. Once we started the 519 brand in Trinidad, it was just second-guessing cause it’s easy; it’s my last test figures and everything just fit in very well,” the fast bowler reflected.
Quizzed on the topic, the former fast bowler discussed how important it is for cricketers and athletes to have a plan after retirement.
“I think it’s very important. I mean, you have a longer lifespan after cricket. Cricket is such a short professional sport,” Walsh expressed. “So, for me to be involved with this now, it’s another challenge, but it also keeps you on your toes, keep you going. I think it’s important that you try to plan while you’re playing, but you’re going to need to do something after to keep you going.”
As Guyana prepares to host major cricket events such as the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) and Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), it is Walsh’s hope that they can be ready to tap into the influx of patrons.
He noted, “That’s why we’re hoping now to give us enough time to get everything sort of down. I mean, we’ll learn as we go along; we got new staff here; we brought some staff from Trinidad who knows what’s happening.”
“We’re hoping that by CPL starts, I wouldn’t say we’ll have everything perfect but as close to perfect as we can be. I trust the team; the guys are working very hard behind the scenes. I know we’re going to be ready for when the big events come, the GSL, the CPL and all those,” the West Indies legend went on to share.