President David Granger has pledged the support of his Government to raise the profile of the annual Bartica Regatta and transform it into a truly national event.
A Ministry of the Presidency release also said he urged the Regional administration and the Bartica Regatta Committee to make it a Region-wide event with participants and athletes from communities along the Upper Mazaruni and Cuyuni Rivers and a wider range of sporting and novelty events such as canoeing, sailing, water polo and swimming.
The Head of State made the remarks yesterday at the Golden Beach Pavilion, where he declared open, the 65th Bartica Regatta.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford said that he wholeheartedly welcomes Granger’s pledge of support for the hosting of future Regattas, noting that he will be working closely with the Mayor and Town Council to develop a budget for a much bigger event in 2018.
Currently, he said approximately $35M-$37M is spent on the hosting of the Regatta and a bigger event will require about $50M, the release said.
“The Regatta is important to the life of Bartica and Region Seven… With Central Government’s support, I am encouraged and I am positive that we could move this event to the next level. Regatta belongs to us and we can no longer just look for handouts here and there… So in preparation of the 2018 budget we will combine our ideas and efforts and we will budget for the event,” Bradford said.
Speaking of the economic impact the annual event, Bradford said that all of the hotels are booked, there is an upsurge in activities in the transportation sector and shops and restaurants see a significant increase in business.
Following the opening ceremony, the President distributed kites to the children at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.
