Anna Regina stadium will help stimulate massive economic activity – Pres Ali

– says one of the major aspects of development in all regions is to support economic diversification of the country

The multi-purpose stadium being built at Anna Regina in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is one that, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, will help stimulate massive economic activity and a wave of tourism.
The Head of State was at the time inspecting the edifice, which is expected to be completed soon. According to him, expanding important and critical infrastructure throughout all the regions is a major part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) developmental plan.

“One of the major aspects of our development in all the regions, is to expand important and critical infrastructure. To support the economic diversification of the country. Here in Region two, in Essequibo, part of that plan is to build out an entire ecosystem to support tourism. Of which nature, adventure, sports and leisure tourism are all components,” the President said.
President Ali also spoke of some aspects of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) that will be played at the stadium, likely a reference to the Women’s CPL, which Guyana had bid to host matches for at both the Anna Regina venue and in Berbice.
“This facility is the stadium we’re building, and this stadium is meant to be a world-class facility, so we can have international matches and events here. We’ve already negotiated to have some aspects of the CPL played on this ground, so it will be part of stimulating the economic expansion, supporting the tourism sector.”
“And in response to this investment and development by the Government, we have seen the private sector investing in more rooms, more hotels, more resorts. So, this facility, if you look at it in isolation of everything else, you would not have an appreciation for the magnitude of impact it would have in the region,” he also explained.
According to the President, it is important to remember that the stadium when completed will support the creation of jobs in many other sub sectors including tourism, amid national efforts to capitalise on the increased visibility Guyana has on the global stage to build a robust tourism sector.
The Government has been on a massive drive to upgrade and construct multi-purpose sports facilities throughout the regions, including a spanking new cricket stadium at Palmyra, Berbice and the enhancement of the Guyana National Stadium. The PPP/C Government has previously signalled its intention to use the Providence Stadium for the National Cricket Academy, which when launched will be the premier cricket academy in the Caribbean.
The establishment of stadiums at Anna Regina and at Linden by Government will ensure that the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) can take First-Class matches to those areas which in turn is expected to increase the interest of cricket and enhance the development of the game in those communities.