-“not just for IGG” says Director of Sport

With the Inter Guiana Goodwill Games beginning on Friday, the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue is undergoing some upgrades. The upgrades are similar to the ones the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall underwent when Guyana hosted the U-16 Caribbean Basketball Championships in July of this year. When asked about the upgrades, Director of Sport,Christopher Jones,commented that they were not just for the upcoming games but extended far beyond the one event.
“I am opening the space outside and making it more user friendly even if it’s for persons to go around trot, walk around or just exercise in the space and we’re opening up the space too.”
Jones also said that it was(his hope)that the works served as a reminder to the Administration that he submitted a proposal to them for the remodeling of the Gymnasium space.
“We could do a lot more with the space and after the administration sees the work that has been done I hope there could be an allocation in the budget next year for more work to be done.”
The works,however,have sparked questions centered on if the upgrades are just for show. Jones was quick to answer those questions,stating that a protocol for maintenance was being drawn up.
“We would have established a protocol in terms of the administration of the facilities, one was done during the CBC games for the sportshall and one is being done for the Gymnasium.”
The works on the Gymnasium will also tie into the Government’s initiative to incorporate sport in schools. According to Jones, “There are several schools within Georgetown which do not have sufficient space for P.E, so by cleaning and opening up the Gymanisium, it provides that space for schools within the catchment area to utilize for their P.E programs.”
The first games on the schedule to be played at The National Gymnasium are male and female Volleyball,to be played on Friday from 13:00 to 17:00hrs.