Linden football enthusiasts are strongly objecting to government’s plan to upgrade the famed Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground to meet the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) standard.
Arguing that the ground is a popular venue for football, they believe the sports ground should have been improved to the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) standard.
And with works already underway by Trinidadian company, Superior Group Inc to enhance the ground, the community is also calling on the government to present the contract and the scope of works to be carried out on the facility.
For them, the procurement process was secretive and despite the ground falling under the purview of a management committee, they are clueless on the type of work that will be carried out on the MSC.
“The government got their way by domination and control,” Region Ten Chairman Deron Adams told Stabroek News while pointing out that despite the objections, government proceeded with the development.
Work on the upgrading of the ground commenced in early December. During a recent visit to the ground, this newspaper observed that works are well underway with underground pipes and a drainage catchment basin being installed.
After contacting his superior, Project Manager of Superior Group Inc, Anton Mohamed said he was not in a position to go into details on the project.
When this newspaper reached out to the superior, Raj (only name given) yesterday afternoon, he said that they are retrofitting the ground to ICC standards. He explained that while the lighting and the specifications of the ground will be to ICC standards, other sports would be played at the facility. He stated they are raising the ground and it will be equipped with underground drainage systems with electronic sprinklers to keep the grass moist. To date, he noted that they have installed the sprinklers and planted the grass to cover the ground.
However, before Raj, who Stabroek News understands is the liaison officer for the company, provided further information, he directed all further questions to Reezan Ogeer. Ogeer when contacted by Stabroek News asked that all questions on the project be directed to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson. He said that that was the instruction from the Minister.
Stabroek News on Friday reached out to the Minister of Culture but calls and messages went unanswered.
Ogeer however explained that his company responded to an invitation for bids in the newspaper and they were awarded the contract in November.
The Mackenzie facility when completed will be to the standard of the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, it was stated.
FIFA not ICC
While speaking with Stabroek News, the Regional Chairman said that the ground served as a multipurpose facility in the township. However, when construction began they were told that it would be equipped with lighting and other facilities to meet ICC standards.
“Our contention is this is a ground that sees more football matches than cricket. In Linden, 90 percent of the people play football not cricket and it is with this we are questioning why the government is upgrading this ground to ICC standards instead of FIFA,” he posited.
The Chairman explained that when the government visited the ground, they were told of a second ground at Retrieve, Linden, which they would like to see upgraded also. He opined that if government wanted to create a facility to host international-level cricket games they could have utilized that ground. He argued that with the Retrieve ground upgraded to host cricket it would have eliminated any double-booking for future games of cricket and football. He also stated that if the ground was being upgraded to FIFA standards, athletes would still be able to train but now that does not seem possible.
“We are in support of all disciplines of sport having a place in our community,” he said, before adding that the region is in no way opposed to cricket being played there as some residents are huge cricket fans.
“Don’t get me wrong we the people of Linden welcome the upgrades of any facility but the manner in which this is being done, without any respect for the local authority or the people is not fair and that is what we have an issue with,” Adams added.
Both FIFA & ICC standard grounds
Region 10 parliamentarian, Jermaine Figueira and shadow minister of Culture, Youth and Sport during the Leader of the Opposition’s weekly press conference on Thursday called for clarity at the announcement of the facility becoming an ICC-standard ground. He stated that this announcement is a concern for Region 10 and the athletes.
“It is of concern to the residents, the people of Region 10 who are particularly known for athletics, swimming and football. We are very much concerned with this new revelation because in the House when the question was asked it was specifically said that the club will maintain all of the disciplines that it used to host and that is the direction this development would be taking,” Figueira said.
Echoing the sentiments of Adams, the parliamentarian said that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is hesitant to give information or even release an artist’s impression of what the facility would look like.
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton adding his voice on the issue asserted “The government should not be imposing. They should be in consultation with the people of Linden and give them what they want.”
At a press conference on Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in response to the claims said “The fact is that Linden will have both a FIFA-standard ground and an ICC-standard ground, that they can play both cricket and football.”
He clarified that the Bayroc Ground where a multi-million dollar synthetic field is being developed will house an FIFA-standard ground with lighting for football.
“For the first time, we are developing three grounds in the town of Linden that will allow us to play international cricket and football,” Jagdeo said prior to mentioning that government will also upgrade the Retrieve, Linden ground to benefit three schools.
“These are the facts,” he said before accusing Norton of utilizing the situation to play the race card.
“…I said he’s ill-advised and he picks up on everything that he sees race in, every single issue, doesn’t do any research whatsoever…” he added.
The present state of the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground
