Ramson Jr delighted with excitement shown at Independence Three-Stage

By Brandon Corlette

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr graced the finish of the Independence Three-Stage cycle race at Thirst Park with his presence, and expressed his satisfaction with the return of this race, which had not been hosted for five years. He was impressed with the excitement shown by all those involved in the cycling event.
The Minister had been dismayed that this marquee cycling event had been stopped for an extended period. According to Ramson Jr, the Independence Three-Stage had not been held over the past five years as a result of the previous Administration not providing sponsorship toward the sport and the event.
The Minister disclosed that hosting the Independence Three-Stage was the topic of the first conversation he had with the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF). “At that stage I had committed that if this is the marquee event I am going to make sure we set aside the money coming out of the new budget,” Ramson Jr told media operatives.
He added: “Had it not been for the sponsorship, they would not have been able to have this race, but I am really pleased with the excitement the sport brings.”
Speaking on the issue of richer rewards for this race, Ramson said that businesses have been tighter with their budgets and events such as the race go on the chopping board, since the Ministry was not the sole sponsor of the event.
He said the Ministry has been in conversation with the business community. “We want to let them know that developing the country is about developing the people,” Ramson Jr said, while noting the race did not have more businesses on board as its hosting had been uncertain.
“In this race, there was a bit of iffiness about whether it was going to happen as well. Companies don’t really operate in that sphere of uncertainty ,so you need planning in advance and for all the core sports we said we want national events, something that you can build up to.”