— sports new basketball court and pavilion
THE DREAMS of youths of Agricola/Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown were realised on Saturday when the basketball court, pavilion and rehabilitation of the Agricola Community Centre were handed over as a finished project to the community. The youths present at the ceremony on Saturday told the Guyana Chronicle that it was a vision they had a long time ago, and they are happy it came into reality in a place where they can visit, exhale and see the initiative as a good one.
Youths added that they will be off the streets and engaging themselves in sports, since they have a role model, National Federation Champion Boxer Clive Atwell, who is mentoring the youngsters and is very much a part of the community.
With the provision of the basketball court and pavilion, the youths are hoping to become future great sportsmen and women.
Welton Clarke, whose brain child the Agricola Basketball Court is, said there is need for more input in the community to improve the lives of the youths in the village; and with the basketball court/pavilion and the boxing ring at the Agricola Community Centre, the youths will be engaged in meaningful sports activities.
He added that, in time, cricket will also be added; and although a canteen, washroom and fence are yet to be installed, they are happy for the facility.
Ivan John, Chairperson of the Agricola/Mc Doom Community Action Council, in remarks, noted that the basketball court and pavilion is a plus for the youths.
Meanwhile, Ranwell Jordan of the Agricola Community Centre said that the initiatives were geared towards the development of young people in the area and its environs, and he lauded the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for assisting in acquiring the plot of land for the facility in which youths can spend time in sporting activities.
Rosanne Purnwaise, Community Action Specialist, CSP, told the gathering that, under the CSP, one of the three components was to address crime, and as such, use social development to get a handle on youths. She said the CSP introduced the skills training programme for school drop-outs and it was successful, since more than 140 youths have since graduated.
She added that the Rapid Impact Project will either rehabilitate or construct a building for youth development, since their target group is youths.
Also present was Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, who said that the facility is not only for physical activities, but also for the sharing of information on our history etc.
In the feature address, Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee said the CSP/MOHA initiative was a significant one which had implemented measures to bring about the security of citizens. He urged the residents, especially the youths of the community, to utilize the facility for the intended purpose, and use their free time to participate in sports activities. He said that for others to use it all the time, they will have to jostle for space, the centre of attraction where teams would be formed.
Rohee urged older residents to visit the facility for enjoyment as the youths play, and for them to use the facility in a disciplined manner.
The minister handed over sports gear to several youth groups, and visited the Agricola Community Centre, where he witnessed a friendly bout of boxing by youths.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) Citizen Security Programme (CSP) handed over the basketball court, pavilion and the rehabilitated Agricola Community Centre — Rapid Impact Project — to the community.
The ribbon was cut by a child of the community and the minister, signaling opening of the facility. A sizeable crowd of residents welcomed the project in the community.