CHAIRMAN of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has expounded on the importance of the Caribbean’s vast sport sector as a catalyst for regional growth and development.

Dr. Ali was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 46th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government conference at the Georgetown Marriott.

According to the president, “That’s [Sports] an important issue. So, the issue of sports, cricket, football is a is an issue that was discussed is an issue that heads express, concerns about, but also expressed the potential of sports in helping to resolve many of the other issues that we have within the region.”

Addressing his regional counterparts., the president was not shy in sharing his vision of a brighter Caribbean region, achievable through sustained investment and development of the sport sectors.

The Head of State, a firm supporter of vibrant sport sector here said, “On the building of regional and infrastructure, we had a commitment by Trinidad and Tobago for the hosting of a symposium dealing not only with cricket as a sport, but a business of cricket, and ensuring the region remains a viable place for the business of cricket and that we are not, pushed out of the business of cricket.”

The Chair’s comments come as the region prepares to host the ICC World T20 tournament at venues across the Caribbean and the United States.

Guyana is already in preparation mode for the hosting of five group games and one semi-final.

“In relation to sports development, yes, we had discussion on this, not only as it relates to the development of that of artists, but as it relates to advancing work and helping on the issue of crime and security, creating more meaningful avenues for our young people and people in the region to exert their energy.”

Dr. Ali has led by example in ensuring the overwhelming support for sporting infrastructure and development, taking a hands-on approach to ensuring his government places the necessary emphasis on areas of core importance.

In 2024 alone, the ministry with responsibility for sport has been assigned $4.6Billion dollars, up from the 2023 allocation of $4.3B.

Funds have been budgetted to areas like the completion of a synthetic track in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and the installation of international standard floodlights at the Bayroc Ground in Linden, as well as multipurpose sporting facilities throughout the country’s ten administrative regions, showing the CARICOM Chair’s ‘practice as you preach’ mindset.

Along with this, a vibrant programme to enhance community grounds throughout the administrative regions in Guyana, as well as the removal of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and duty on sport equipment are testimony to the president’s belief that sport can become a greater tool for the region’s development.