By Calvin Chapman

THE Government of Guyana continues to show their commitment to sport with H.E. President Irfaan Ali overseeing a total of $9B invested thus far in sport since taking office.

This year’s mammoth budget of $4.3B for sports, which was announced by Senior Minister in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh, during Monday’s budget presentation, eclipses 2022’s $3.2B by over 33% and 2021’s $1.5B.

The 2023 sports budget provisions for a massive stadium at Palmyra, is testament to the administration’s aim of decentralising sport, and true to President Ali’s promise of having a state-of-the-art sport facility on the Corentyne.

This year’s budget will see major infrastructural works with Hinterland communities set to benefit from multipurpose facilities and, the rehabilitation of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), which has already seen works being commenced.

In addition, Dr. Singh had shared that, “Provision has been set aside for the establishment of a National Cricket Academy.” Meanwhile, there will be, “Construction of stands and grass mounds in Regions Two and Six, extension of the Squash court at the National Racquet Center and procurement of sports gear,” Dr. Singh continued.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Community Ground Enhancement project, which benefitted 54 communities last year with 21 of those being outfitted with lights, has been allocated another $250m this year for the continued improvement of community grounds across the country.

President’s Ali promise of making Guyana a regional hub for sports began to take massive strides in 2022. Dr. Singh mentioned that, “Beyond the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2022, we saw at the Regional level the return of the Inter Guiana Games to these shores after a five-year hiatus.”

Dr. Singh also mentioned that the partnership between the government and the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) to upgrade and expand the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri is another promise that the PPP/C administration has stayed true to.

The inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup, which was a collaboration with the Guyana Football Federation and the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation, was rightfully lauded by Dr. Singh. He posited that, “The Inter-Regional football tournament which was launched and successfully executed, witnessed the remarkable footballing talent of our country being mobilised in a single competition and led to a significant increase in national and international exposure.”