RECOGNISING the benefits that are derived from sports, Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, has been spending billions of dollars to provide the necessary infrastructure, thereby providing the base for better sport preparation and performance of athletes.

The synthetic athletics track located at Leonora in Region Three, and the warm-up pool at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, ECD are just two of the many sports infrastructure projects that the Sports Ministry focused upon during 2014.

In relation to the synthetic track, the surface and marking of lanes were done in keeping with international standards, and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, along with representatives of Musco Lights and local contractors, is in the process of installing flood lights at this venue. This, he said, is expected to be completed by year-end.

The track has been certified by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) as part of the Government’s quest to boost Guyana’s capacity to host international sporting activities. It will be opened to facilitate athletes in the first half of next year.

“…we have our certification as a Class Two track, which is a really big advancement for us in Guyana, because it’s the first (time) in our history that we are having a certified track; so, records being broken here can be accepted internationally,” the Sport Minister disclosed.

The warm-up pool, which will eventually allow for more international swimming competitions, has also been completed, and the contractor is in process of finishing the decking. The pool, which is 25 metres long and 21 metres wide and has a varying depth of 1.175 metres and 1.82 metres, has already been tested by Myrtha Pool.

“In the new year we will officially commission the pool. All the works are completed and the pool is functional….” Minister Dr Anthony said.

The $300 Million that were provided to the Sports Ministry for the community enhancement programme saw 544 communities throughout the regions benefiting. This community project was established three years ago while the ministry continued works on community grounds in all the regions. These regions were also given grants for each of the grounds.

“These were major advancements. We have done additional works on the grounds, but this has really shown the works that we have done on community grounds,” the Sports Minister has said.

The Ministry has also continued maintenance works on other existing facilities, including the Gymnasium, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the Racquet Centre, Colgrain Pool, the National Resource Centre, and the Guyana National Stadium.

“We are very proud to note that, at the National Resource Centre, several training programmes were done; and we want to continue (them) at this phase, where we are offering sports training to the different bodies…” Minister Dr Anthony noted.(GINA)