MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, defended the $3.2B allocation for sports development in the 2022 Budget, pointing to the numerous achievements under his tenure at the ministry.
During the ongoing Budget debate in Parliament, Ramson highlighted the resounding support from the country’s various sports associations and federations for his handling of the sector, along with the National Sports Commission.
“For sport, the budget is $3.2B with a capital of $2.4B and every single sports association/federation has issued statements for the first time in the history of this country in support of the government, in support of the ministry, in support of the programme and the relationship that they have with the minister and the National Sports Commission,” Ramson exclaimed to much delight of colleagues in the house.
Minister Ramson assured that the transformation of sports will continue, particularly in infrastructural development.
A total of $1.4B is budgeted in 2022 for sports infrastructure and development, including the completion of the synthetic tracks in Regions 6 and 10; multi-purpose sports facilities; erection of stands at the National Track and Field Centre, rehabilitation works at the Guyana National Stadium to support the Cricket Academy; construction of pavilions in Region 6 and 10 as well as the procurement of sports gear.
According to the breakdown of allocation for sports, $45.8M is allocated for maintenance works to sports facilities including Mackenzie Sports Club, Kwakwani Recreational Centre, National Aquatic Centre and Colgrain Pool.
Upon highlighting all things done by his ministry, which included the winning of the bid to host warm-up and four group-stage matches in this year’s ICC U19 World, Ramson pointed out “we had the inaugural sports conference, where we had the consultation for our Sports Academy and then we launched our Sports Academy in December.”
“Mr Speaker, our Capital money will be spent on the transformation of our sports facilities and the building of our stadiums that the President, Dr Irfaan Ali, announced in one of the speeches that he made to the public.”
In keeping with a promise made during his campaign, Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali, announced on September 7, 2020, during a press conference, that the PPP/C Government will be building multipurpose sports facilities in Regions 2, 6 and 10.
President Ali said the move comes as his administration looks to “continue to support the growth and development of our young people and our sportsmen and women and find new talent while supporting every region of our country.”
According to President Ali, “These are some of the investment measures and policies that we will pursue in this emergency budget and in January, to bring relief, to create opportunities and to improve the welfare and well-being of all the people of our country.”
Meanwhile, Minister Ramson spoke profoundly of the Government’s Community Ground enhancement programme, which he said has seen the rehabilitation of over 20 community grounds around the country.
Ramson said the facilities “were in such a poor state and that is why the Ground Enhancement Programme is so popular because it is making such a big difference to the people of the country. And I’m pleased to announce as well that in this year’s allocation there will be G$250M in our budget for ground enhancement.”
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his Budget presentation, said “the sports programme aims to ensure that all Guyanese are provided with opportunities to participate in sporting activities, thereby channelling energies, abilities and talents to contribute meaningfully to national development, in its various dimensions.”
