Minister Anthony touts ministry’s efforts in Budget presentation

Apr 06, 2014 Sports

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Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Dr Frank Anthony, in his presentation during the Budget Debates in Parliament last week, touted the efforts being made by his ministry towards developing sports here.
Questions will be asked of the Minister in due course as to the real efforts and development, but he made his and government’s case on what has been and is continuing to be done by the administration for sports.

On the issue of the matters plaguing cricket, Dr Anthony stated, “Cricket has many off field difficulties, which has definitely impact on the dynamics of the game on the field. We hope that later in the year we will be able to pass the cricket legislation by consensus, which will assist the game to grow and develop.”
There have been much back and forth in the press by the various stakeholders concerning that issue and it is hoped that some resolution is reached to return full stability to the game. Still on cricket, the Minister touched on the CPL; “Regionally, the WICB has given permission for the CPLT20, which had its first matches in 2013. This private sector venture really invigorated the game in the Caribbean. There were 24 matches in 6 countries, with 29 Broadcasters, in 25 countries, broadcasting 2,635 hours.
The Mona School of Business & Management did an impact study of the tournament, it said that about $23.2m US was invested, direct impact was $36.4m, and that the direct and indirect impact was about $105.6m across the Caribbean. This clearly shows the economic impact that this tournament has had on the Caribbean Economy. We therefore look forward to the 2014 edition. Negotiations have started to make Guyana one of the venues in the 2014 edition.”
The Minister informed parliament that the athletic track at Leonora will be partially operational later this year.
“By the end of this year the National Synthetic Track at Leonora, will be partially operational. We expect that by the end of the year, the synthetic track, the football field, the 2 Northern Stands, the parking, access roads and the Club House will be fully completed. With these sections completed the facilities can be put to use.
We will however have to continue works to build two Southern Stands, these capital expenditures we anticipate will be in future budgets.
During the latter part of the year the Ministry will by hiring staff to administer this facility, we would also be recruiting several full time athletic coaches, who would be offered programmes at the SAT.”
“Development at the Guyana National Stadium will continue this year. The venue has become a popular destination for live entertainment. To this end the Ministry will procure two sets of mobile stands, which can be easily set up on the tarmac when they are concerts there,” he said about that venue.
In terms of other development, much emphasis and funding will be placed on developing community grounds, despite many questions being raised in the recent past of the state of some facilities, Dr Anthony stated, “We are once again pleased that 300 million dollars have been allocated to the development of community grounds. Over the last three years government would have spent 500 million on community grounds, this have resulted in a welcome transformation of these community assets. With close to 500 communities benefitting from this grant funding.
Within the next few months, the lights at Albion will be completed. With its completion we can expect to see more night games at Albion.”
Football and the motor racing fraternity are down for a boost from government based on the minister’s talk in Parliament.
“The Guyana Football Federation has approached the Government of Guyana to build a football training facility. The request is for the GoG to provide 10 acres of land, and the GFF would build the football facility using resources allocated through FIFA Goal Project. The projected investment over the next five years would be approximately 6.5 million US dollars. The government is supportive of this request and would be signing a MoU with the GFF shortly.
Last year the Guyana Motor Racing Club became a full member of the FIA. The FIA has given the GMRC a grant to develop a master plan for the Timehri Circuit, with the aim of making it into a Class 3 Track. A team headed by Mr. Abed was recently in Guyana to commence discussion and designed of this Class 3 facility,” he informed the house.
He also mentioned that, “We expect that later in the year the Guyana Karate College will commence construction of its Dojo on the one acre of land that government has allocated to them. This would create a permanent home for Karate in Guyana. We will also urge the Guyana Olympic Association to do the same.
The Ministry remains open to develop partnership with National, Local organizations or individuals who would like to invest in the sports sector. We have received other expressions of interests (cricket, golf and tennis) and each of these would be considered on its merit.”

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