THE MINISTRY of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) yesterday made available one John Deere 5403, 70 horsepower tractor, complete with slasher, to be used by the 30-odd grounds in Georgetown, ensuring they are kept in top condition and readiness for competitions and recreation. Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony did the handing-over at the Carifesta Sports Complex, where he said the initiative is a small, but significant and necessary one and his Ministry’s aim is to make a difference, as there have been reported cases of clubs not being able to adequately finance the maintenance of their respective grounds.
Dr Anthony said the MCY&S will provide an operator for the tractor which will be based at the Carifesta Sports Complex, and will be available to clubs on a rotational basis, adding that the service will be provided free of cost so as to alleviate the burden of clubs having to pay to have their grounds cut.
He also revealed that nine other slashers have been acquired, and those will be distributed to regions where tractors are already available to do the job.
Permanent Secretary within the MCY&S Alfred King echoed similar sentiments, adding that “this is an investment, not a cost” to his Ministry.
King reasoned that once the resources are available (in this case, the tractor), young people will ultimately benefit from the use of the facilities, and as such, they will be meaningfully occupied.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Conrad Plummer, said “it is a meaningful and practical initiative” that aptly demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to grassroots sports development.
Plummer noted that with school grounds also being among the beneficiaries, schools can now have a more structured programme of events.
The machine was purchased from General Equipment, whose Sales Manager, Schelte Van Dijk, gave the assurance that the tractor will perform to its optimum for more than a decade and said the equipment has the same features similar to the type used by GuySuCo to transport cane to the factories via punts.
The ceremony was attended by officials of the MCY&S and athletes who usually train at the Carifesta Sports Complex.