`2023 bodes even better and more brightly than 2022 for sport investment in Guyana’
The sport sector has been allocated a record $4.3B in this year’s budget. This is according to Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, who made the disclosure yesterday during his 2023 national budget presentation in Parliament.
The sum of $4.3B is a significant increase, it almost doubles last year’s allocation of $2.2B and almost triples the 2021 allocation of $1.5B.
Reading from a prepared speech, Singh stated that, “2023 bodes even better and more brightly than 2022 for sport investment in Guyana.”
He disclosed that funds have been “set aside for the provision of a National Cricket Academy with the construction of the state of the art stadium at Palmyra also slated for this year.
Additionally, provision is made for other sports infrastructure and development including the construction of multi-purpose facilities in the Hinterland, rehabilitation works at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, construction of stands and grass mounds in Regions 2 and 6, extension of the Squash Courts at the Racquet Centre and Procurement of sports gear.” He did not give specific figures on how the total budget will be utilized. Singh however noted that from the $4.3B, $250 million is budgeted for the continued improvement of the community grounds. The same was allocated in last year’s budget. During last year’s presentation, Singh said that 1.4 billion was budgeted for sports infrastructure and development, including for the completion of the synthetic tracks in Regions Six and 10; the multi-purpose sports facilities; the erection of stands at the National Track and Field Centre; rehabilitation works at the National Stadium to support the Cricket Academy; construction of pavilions at Region Six and 10; and the procurement of sports gear.
In 2021, 25 community grounds across Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10 were upgraded, and preparatory works have begun for the construction of the multi-purpose sports facilities at Regions Two, Six and 10. Aside from this, the sum of $45.8 million was also allocated for maintenance works to sports facilities, including Mackenzie Sports Club, Kwakwani Recreational Centre, National Aquatic Centre and Colgrain pool.
During his monologue last year, Singh stated, “The sports programme aims to ensure that all Guyanese are provided with opportunities to participate in sporting activities, thereby channelling energies, abilities and talents to contribute meaningfully to national development, in its various dimensions.” The investment being made in the sector is aimed at ensuring the execution of the President’s vision for a vision of a “bottom-up approach” to the development of sports.
This year’s budget is crafted under the theme “Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow”.
