Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jnr., said yesterday that the investment in the Guyana National Stadium at Providence was paying dividends and as a result the Government of Guyana, through his ministry, was committed to having several more such grounds around the country.
“The Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, have made very serious investments in the National Stadium,” he told the media and cricketers from the Berbice and Demerara teams prior to the commencement of yesterday’s Inter-County game between the two sides there.
“The reason why you can play here today compared to why the game was called off in Enmore, is because of the design of the ground that we have here. This was a huge investment that we made in 2006 under President Jagdeo (Bharrat) and look at what it is capable of doing today when a match is called off in Enmore, you can start your game here today,” Ramson Jnr., declared.
According to the Sports Minister, similar types of grounds to Providence, will be established at Anna Regina, Mackenzie in Linden and at Albion.
“In fact Albion started two weeks ago, the two other locations have already started and will be completed within the next four months,” said Ramson Jnr.
“In Anna Regina and Mackenzie you will have ICC standard international lights.”
The Minister also revealed plans for two new stadiums at Palmyra and Uitvlugt.
“We’re going to be building a new stadium at Palmyra, one in Region Three at Uitvlugt, those too will be equipped with ICC international standard lights,” Ramson Jnr., disclosed.
Speaking of the Inter-County competition which is being held for the first time in nine years, Ramson Jnr., said that the recommencement of the Inter-County competition, was a signal of the direction that cricket is heading.
“Everything that the Government of Guyana does is to advance the interest of cricket in general and also the interest of the cricketers,” he exhorted.
Minister Ramson Jnr., also said that he met recently with the Guyana Cricket Board and among the discussions were, apart from the recommencement of the Inter-County tournament, the selection criteria, making facilities available to the GCB, discipline and the advancement of the One Cricket Vision.
He also disclosed that the Cricket Academy, which is being erected just behind the Providence National Stadium, will be completed in the next few months.
Ramson Jnr., said that he also discussed with the GCB, the recommencement of the Under 19 tournament, which he says his ministry will be a primary sponsor and a proposed schools tournament.
Ramson Jnr., was accompanied by Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad, Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle and Chairman of the National Cricket Selectors, Ramnaresh Sarwan.
