Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Sunday pledged Government’s continued support to lift the profile of the annual Bartica Regatta and to transform it into a “truly national event”.
Harmon was at the time delivering remarks at the opening of the 67th Bartica Regatta, according to a Ministry of the Presidency statement.
“We continue to strive to provide an enabling environment for such activities as the Bartica Regatta to expand and grow. We continue to provide and improve infrastructure, not only in Bartica but all across Guyana to facilitate the good life for our people. Here in Bartica you can see the boardwalk, the improved community centre ground, better roads, better sanitation, improved Information and communication technology infrastructure and a new radio station to give a few examples. All of this is set within a programme to make Bartica a model ‘green’ town, a model for the ‘greening ‘of Guyana, for the establishment of our ‘green’ economy and the ‘green’ state of Guyana,” he said.
The statement said that he commended the Bartica Town Council and the 2019 Regatta Organising Commit-tee for successfully organising this year’s activities which began on April 7, 2019 and concluded yesterday.
“This is certainly a great achievement for an event that started simply with boat races by ‘Grant boat captains’ over forty years ago. The Bartica Regatta has grown from strength to strength and has taken its place among the top tourist and
entertainment attractions in Guyana’s social calendar. Of this note, is the diversity of activities of the Regatta. It is no longer only boat racing. We now have a beauty pageant of international standards, football, cricket, basketball, volleyball, road cycle racing, motorcycle grass track, swimming and even bird whistling competitions. What, in fact, we have is an exhilarating extravaganza; a unique blend of sports, culture and entertainment that is perhaps unmatched anywhere at any time of the year in Guyana,” Harmon said.
Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford said that the Bartica Regatta has grown significantly over the years and it is now one of the most anticipated events for not just Barticians but all Guyanese.
Speaking of the economic impact of the 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 hike in business.
