I am therefore quite distressed by the attempts to cast me in a negative light in relation to the 2002 Miss Guyana Universe Pageant held on Saturday last.

Some persons connected with the organisation of the Pageant are circulating a rumor that I have refused to participate in any of the activities.

This is untrue and malicious.

I was not contacted before the run-up activities over the past week. In the case where I was contacted this week, it was through an invitation or correspondence left in my letterbox usually on the day of the activity. In one instance, my father received an invitation from the courier, when the event had already started.

Over the last 48 hours, I have encountered people who expressed surprise that I was in Guyana and contactable, because they said they were told that no one knew how to contact me. Among these persons was a very dear friend who is visiting Guyana as part of the event.

I remain committed to projecting a positive image of Guyana and Guyanese, and would therefore never refuse to contribute to a national event, if correct the form is observed in relation to my involvement. I wish the contestants in the 2002 Miss Guyana Universe Pageant every success and repeat my wish to the Miss Guyana World 2001 Pageant last September.

“I wish that the people of Guyana could recognise all delegates as Guyanese, and support whichever delegate is chosen to represent us. I wish that audiences would come to these pageants to see their delegates compete, not just to see them win. Only then, can the Guyana pageants regain the dignity and respect, which they had in the 1960’s and 1970’s when we had many finalists in the international contests.”
Morvinia Sobers