“EXCELLENT! I am happy to have the support from the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) executive, because we would like to do some work here and it is important for me to do work in a collaborative way, where you get the support and cooperation from management and the members of the MSC Club” was how the new Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport Charles Ramson (Jr) described the meeting he held with club’s executive committee last Friday in Linden.

Minister Ramson spoke with the president of MSC, Mr Avery Trim, and members of his executive committee. He was briefed on the challenges that face the one-of-its-kind sports facility in the country, which existed since 1956 after it became a members club.

Earlier this year on March 27, in light of the prevailing circumstances concerning the global threat of COVID-19 as a pandemic, the management of MSC has taken measures to close its operations temporarily, based on the decision by the Regional Health Emergency Committee (RHEC) to implement a regional curfew in the Town of Linden and its environs in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani).

In the field of sport, MSC ground is known to have staged international football, cricket, cycling, track and field, boxing among others, while international teams have also graced its basketball court and the famous Kashif and Shanghai football was berthed there also.

Speaking on the intention of the government Minister Ramson said that: “as part of its priority area as far as work is concerned Linden is a priority area. So contrary to what some people may want to peddle here, there would be no neglected area of youth, sport and culture.”

He quipped: “It needs a revival and all the relationship; that is what you will get from me and in particular sports….Whatever I do I will involve for Linden in particular intend to keep you in the loop.”

Minister Ramson said provisionally the government has plans for MSC and was clear saying, “I don’t intend to supersede anybody. I want a working relationship and intend to involve you in every step of the way as far as the projects intend to proceed and deliver within the budget that service to the membership of the MSC and the people of Linden.”