‘G’ Division Police Youth Groups adopts sports grounds through Open Space Project

By Indrawattie Natram

IN an effort to provide recreational spaces for Youths and residents living within various communities in Region Two, police in the ‘G’ Division have adopted 10 community grounds. The Open Space Project is a collaborative effort between the Guyana Police Force, ‘G’ Division, the business community and the Region Two Administration.

According to ‘G’ Division Commander, Khalid Pareshram, it is the Division’s desire for the grounds to be utilised by all residents and the facilities be used to foster partnerships with the communities. Pareshram said the Open Space Project is done by the Guyana Police Force with the vision of keeping residents, particularly the youths, meaningfully occupied during their free time.

“We want to keep the youths out of the streets. Instead, they can be engaged in games, recreational activities and stay away from drugs and alcohol,” the Commander said. He thanked the Region’s Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, for partnering with the Division in helping to upgrade the groups. He said the cleanliness of the grounds will be maintained by the Force’s Youth groups.

Transforming sports grounds

The adoption of the sports grounds has thus far had a positive impact on youths in Region Two, especially in the evenings. Scores of youths are seen playing football and cricket since the spaces were adopted. Some of the youths are even helping to maintain the grounds. Recently the Anna Regina Legend and Scout Police Youth Group had adopted the Henrietta Sports ground with the main intention of transforming and maintaining the recreational facility.

Community Leader of Affiance, Pandit Kaydar Persaud, said he is particularly happy to see the youths involved in positive activities in the evening at the Affiance community ground. He said that the initiative fosters community-related partnerships and commended the efforts of the Commander for ensuring that the grounds are upgraded and maintained.

Residents in Good Hope Pomona are also very happy that their community ground was rehabilitated. When this newspaper visited the Affiance Ground one youth, Subash Persaud said that he usually visits the ground in the evening to play a game of cricket with his friends. He said after a hard day it is quite refreshing to be involved in a game that is being played in a pristine environment.

Meanwhile Retired (retd) Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud had initiated the establishment of Police Youth Groups on the Essequibo Coast which has since grown over the years. Youth groups are now located in several areas such as Suddie, Capoey, Dartmouth, Anna Regina, Onderneeming, Lima Sands, Charity, Affiance, Good Hope and Zorg. Over the years, the ‘G’ Division Police Force through its youth groups has been quite active involving youths and also planning activities to get them meaningfully occupied.