Latest update April 18th, 2025 8:12 AM
Improved sporting facilities for Berbice residents …Basketball court, pavilion and sports gear handed over
Residents of Fyrish, Corentyne Berbice was on Sunday presented with a Basketball Court, Pavilion and sporting gear when his Excellency President David Granger visited the East Berbice Corentyne Community.
President David Granger, Director of Sports Christopher Jones and Minister Nicolette Henry participates in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Fyrish Basketball court and pavilion.
The President urged the residents to take responsibility for the development of their community, even as he participated in the commission ceremony.
The Head of State spoke extensively on the importance of community involvement for further community development. He was joined by Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry and Director of Sport Christopher Jones at the commissioning ceremony held on Sunday last.
The President stated that his Government will continue to provide support and financial assistance as far as possible to such ventures, but noted that while there is need for central government’s intervention there is a greater need for active community involvement. “I am afraid of embarking on governmental intervention in communities unless the communities see themselves as partners and not as beneficiaries of handouts. We know central government must be involved but if we are to build the spirit of community development, you the residents must become involved,” President Granger stressed.
With high level of community involvement, the President said, will come along a greater sense of pride, appreciation and ownership for projects within communities.
“People intuitively believe that Government must come and help them, but let us build that culture through education that we must help ourselves and government will assist. Let us attempt to do what is being done in other areas. We have to educate our villagers they must get up and work toward the acquisition of resources and assets,” the President said.
Equally important too, the President said is the need for an excellent community organisational structure, a greater grasp of mobilisation and better understanding of obligations. “You have a proud tradition but don’t let pride degenerate into a pride of dependency,” President Granger urged the residents of the community.
The basketball Court was procured in 2010, while the pavilion was constructed under the President’s Youth Choice Initiative. The fencing for the facility was completed under the Culture Ministry’s One Million Dollars Community ground enhancement project. Basketball equipment was donated by National Sports Commission.
Also speaking at the ceremony were Minister Henry and Director of Sports Jones.
The Fyrish Basket Ball Project is an initiative of The St Francis Community Developers (SFCD), led by Mr. Alex Foster. The facility is among the best in the country at the moment and is the home of the Fyrish Black Sharks Basketball Team. (Samuel Whyte)
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