-Sports halls will be built in five regions

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said that sport is a vehicle for overall development and will be used by the government to produce well-rounded Guyanese.
The senior government official, who declared the 2022 Heritage Games opened on Friday, was adamant that all of Guyana would benefit from the investments in sport, including those in indigenous communities.

“As you partake in these activities, do so with the confidence that this Government will continue to invest in sport.”
He also listed a number of achievements by the government, including the successful hosting of the Caribbean Premier League final this year and the development of sport infrastructure, including the completion of synthetic tracks in Regions Six and 10; Multi-purpose sport facilities in Regions Two, Six and 10; the erection of stands at the National Track and Field Centre; Rehabilitation works at the National Stadium; and continued maintenance works to sport facilities including the McKenzie Sports Club, the Kwakwani Recreational Centre, the National Aquatic Centre and Colgrain Pool.

The Prime Minister also spoke about dozens of community centre grounds that were developed in 2021 and that are being enhanced this year.
Meanwhile, at Friday’s launch, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, announced that the government intends to build five sports halls from next year.

He said that these facilities will be constructed in Regions One, Three, Seven, Eight and Nine.
The idea, he explained, is to replicate the opportunities that many city athletes have.

“It is about setting a certain standard in the hinterland and making sure that the hinterland is not left out of the development process that is being undertaken by the PPP/C government.”

HERITAGE DAY ONE
Meanwhile, the action in the 2022 Heritage Games got underway on Friday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
During the day, Laluni and Campbelltown (Region Eight) registered wins in male cricket.

Last evening, Parima defeated a Region Eight team 3-0 in football.
According to information from the organisers, volleyball and archery are expected to start today.
The finals of all four events will take place on Sunday at the same venue.