….Construction of court & internal fittings to finish in 6 months

By Sean Devers
SINCE this government assumed office in March 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has been rehabilitating Sports facilities or constructing new ones, as Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Charles Ramson and his team is focused on providing facilities that aid in the development of sports in Guyana.

Yesterday, at the National Racquet Centre (NRC) on Woolford Avenue, the launching of the construction of another such facility was done by Minister Ramson.
Minister, a former First Division left-arm spinner for Everest, said the construction of movable glass walls which would form an international size doubles squash court, will commence tomorrow.

The movable glass walls will merge three ‘singles’ courts into one doubles court, which when completed in six months, could facilitate international squash championships being played in Guyana.

According to Minister Ramson, the cost of construction of the facility is $25 Million while installation of the internal fittings, (which have already been purchased), cost $40 Million.
Minister Ramson, speaking in the presence Director of Sports Steven Ninvalle, Assistant Directors Melissa Richardson and Frankie Wilson, along with GSA President, Owen Verwey, disclosed that both projects will be completed at the same time, adding that monies used were from last year’s sports budget.

The project is a collaborative venture between the government and the GSA will be able to create more opportunities for Guyana’s squash players by having the larger tournament held here while reducing the cost of airfare to travel for overseas championships.

“Having international championships, with teams outside of the Caribbean being held here, would not only be good for sporting tourism but would also ignite the interest for the game by youngsters being able to see the great players performing here” continued Ramson, who spoke of the impact made by Guyana’s best squash player, Nicolette Fernandes.

Minister Ramson told the players present that he feels there is no shortage of talent in Guyana but he thinks the players (in all sports disciplines) needs to adopt a ‘Winning Culture’ and work hard on being the best.

“A winning culture is very important for success…we all want to win…you in your sports and I in my Job, which is politics.
You and I have to be the best we can and work hard and get the right results. You have to play as a team help your team to be successful…in my case I am working hard to help win an elections.
But you can have the talent but if you don’t have the facilities there is only so far that you can go. We (the GOG) are giving you the tools with proper facilities and coaching” explained Minister Ramson.

He informed that Wilson would be working exclusively on the sports academy.
“I will be on his back. If he says something think of it as me saying it” declared Ramson, whose brain child is the academy.

Ninvalle, who is also the President of the GBA, said the importance of structure cannot be over-emphasised and promised that 2023 will be much better for sports in Guyana.

The GSA President thanked the sports ministry for helping to make a doubles court a reality and was happy that this project has moved from the stage of talking to the stage of doing.
The local squash season begins from February 1-4 with the BCQS Masters.