The state of the Bartica Centre Ground in Region 7 has been decried by opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juretha Fernandes. In addition the welfare of players has also come under scrutiny.
Fernandes in a post on her Facebook page, highlighted what in her opinion were less than suitable playing conditions for the town’s footballers.
Fernandes in her post opened; “So last night I went to a football game after a long time, the game was played at the (Bartica) Centre Ground. And I made a few observations that need to be addressed”.
She listed some points starting with the condition of the playing area and beyond the touchline.
“The ground is a mess, an uneven sand filled ground that can cause serious injury to players. In addition I learned that the car and bike show was held on that very ground and broken bottles are still in the ground.”
In addition, the MP noted; “There was no medical personnel at the game, no physiotherapist or even a first aid kit in sight. A player had to be carried off the field by two other players and was left on the ground at the sideline with no one to attend to him last night.”
Amongst Fernandes’ concerns as well was the absence of a PA (Public Announcement) system for officials to use, additionally the presence of several vehicles parked on the sidelines of the ground blasting loud music throughout the game was highlighted.
The MP also pointed out; “The field at the Centre Ground is the only field in Bartica that is left to be used for sports after the other field at Mongrippa is being completely destroyed at the moment”.
“It is unacceptable for our athletes to be treated with such disregard when they are showing up and giving their all. It is unsettling that the Guyana Football Federation Inc. would approve a game under such conditions and that the Bartica Football Association would execute. The field condition is with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport – Guyana and the Minister is responsible. The Bartica Mayor and Town Council is responsible for giving permission for other events to be held on the ground. So let’s fix it! Our athletes deserve the best.”
Stabroek Sport reached out to the Bartica Football Association (BFA) President Alden Marslowe for a response and he in turn addressed the allegations of broken bottles being on the field saying “I find it inconceivable that we, or anyone, would play football on a field with broken bottles on it. Players, referees, coaches and spectators alike would protest a thing like that.”
In regard to the absence of a PA system, he noted; “PA systems, where they are expensive to hire, are not regular features at football matches in this country.”
He did not respond to the absence of medical personnel or the injury suffered by the player but instead closed by stating;
“Whatever else the person observed, failed to observe, I don’t think I can justify.”
Under the APNU+AFC administration, the Bartica centre ground was earmarked for development which was never quite completed due to circumstances yet to be explained.
In 2023, the budget allocated $4.3 billion for the development of sports.
Bartica, which is the only town in Region 7 and is the nucleus of sporting activities and events in general was not earmarked for upgrades to sport facilities or otherwise.
