Upgrades to sports grounds to continue this year – Finance Minister
A look at ongoing works at a community ground in Berbice
Minister with responsibility for finance and public service, Dr Ashni Singh, has revealed that more upgrades of sports facilities across the country would continue this year.
Last year, Government spent $400M on upgrading grounds and community recreational areas in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and progress would continue there this year, according to Minister Dr Ashni Singh, who has parliamentary responsibility for that region.
The overall initiative started mid-last year, when grounds were identified for priority intervention and over 50 community facilities were upgraded. During the initial stage of the project, over 120 grounds across the region were identified.
Speaking on the sidelines of a recent event held at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground, Minister Singh pointed out that the project is not over.
Grounds have been land filled and fenced, and washroom facilities have been rehabilitated. And in some cases where they did not exist, sanitary blocks have been built.
“We will be doing more on these grounds, depending on their condition; in some cases, depending on the level of activity. Some people are asking for lights. We may not be able to put lights on all of the grounds, but at least some of them are also improving spectator facilities. So, during 2024, we are going to be doing a second phase of upgrading of sports grounds,” Dr Singh pointed out.
Impact of the interventions has thus far facilitated more organised and larger scale participation in sporting activities, and Dr Singh has noted that further enhancements would be undertaken based on the condition of the grounds, their level of activity, and their size.
“Berbice has historically produced some of the country’s finest cricketers. Some of West Indies’ finest cricketers have come from the Albion-Port Mourant area. We want to see that happen yet again. We want to be able to produce more world-class sports people. Just last week, we saw our young track and field athletes having tremendous success at the Carifta Games. This is a reflection of the investments that we have been making in sports facilities, and investments that we have been making in our young people, ensuring that they are able to participate,” the minister told reporters. (G-4)
