Minor works for NTFC as it prepares to host Guyana’s first CARIFTA

Guyana’s premier track and field venue, the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC) at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), will come in for minor upgrade works over the next few months as Guyana prepares to host the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games in 2027.
The marquee athletics event for Caribbean youths is set for Easter weekend (March 27-29) next year, with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) signing the necessary paperwork for Guyana’s hosting on Wednesday last.
It was at that event that Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr responded to several inquiries regarding Guyana’s hosting of the event, specifically regarding the venue.
As such, Ramson Jr noted that the NTFC will only require minor upgrades to be up to CARIFTA standards.
“Now, in relation to the infrastructure work; minor, very minor infrastructure work.” Ramson Jr disclosed. “There will be some work that has to happen between now and March, so we’ll get that started very quickly. But in relation to our inspection findings coming out from the inspection, there’s minor work to be done, but we’re looking to have more accommodation.”

“We did the procurement for the bucket seats even before the decision was made for hosting the CARIFTA Games, so that’s also going to be installed at the stands.”
The Minister went on to enlighten that they will be leaning on the expertise of a capable team.
“We were able to have the experience and expertise coming from Mike, Jean-Paul, and luckily as well, Steve, Cristy, and Amanda; they would go to the CARIFTA Games annually. They have a lot of experience about where certain areas are best situated, facilities, etc. And right now, Mike and his team are going to be preparing the most suitable layout for those facilities and for the personnel to be situated,” Ramson Jr explained.
When it comes to timeline, one can expect to see the work at the NTFC commencing soon, as the Minister indicated that funds will be used from the current year’s sports budget.
“So, we’ll look to do any of the infrastructure work now. If there are some projects that have to be done into the new year, they’ll roll over, but for any projects that are required, we’re looking to advance that this year. We’re not going to wait till the budget is tabled and passed because by then, the games are on us,” he shared.
Referencing the National Budget timelines, which can prolong from January into February, Ramson explained why they will not be relying on the 2027 budget.
“It would be pointless for us to even consider anything in next year’s budget,” the Minister surmised. “Because it’s minor work to be done and we were thinking about the upgrades anyway that are coming out from this year’s budget, but in relation to the actual hosting of it, we can’t assess what our budget would look like as yet because we have to engage with our counterparts shortly after this visit.”
As indicated by the Sport Minister, Guyana will be covering the cost in areas such as logistics, catering, and a portion of accommodations. As such, he detailed why it might be difficult to share an exact sum attached to Guyana’s hosting of the CARIFTA Games so soon.
“So, we don’t have an idea of the full cost in relation to the budget, but everybody knows me by now; I’m always frugal, I’m tight in relation to the budget,” Ramson explained jokingly. “I don’t like to overspend, but obviously we have to host a successful games, and we want to make sure that the experience that our athletes and persons we’re responsible for have when they come is a great experience here and they’re short for nothing.”
The 2027 CARIFTA Games will be Guyana’s first time hosting the region’s biggest youth track and field event.