‘2012 Budget shows government’s firm commitment to sport’- Dr Anthony

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony says the 2012 budget is indicative of government’s firm commitment towards the development of sport, as the administration will continue to invest in the expansion of sport infrastructure. The minister, who also has responsibility for Youth and Culture, made the comment during his budget debate presentation last Saturday evening in the National Assembly.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, during his Gy$ 192.8B budget presentation on March 30, revealed that a sum of Gy$ 675 million has been earmarked for several infrastructural works, including the continuation of the Synthetic track at Leonora, completion of the Bartica Community Centre, upgrading of the National Gymnasium, Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, National Stadium and Colgrain Pool.

Also, the two re-commissioned tennis courts at the Racquet Centre at Non Pariel Park will be equipped with lights. Of that amount, Gy$ 160M has been allocated for the upgrading of sports grounds countrywide, while in an effort to boost Guyana’s chances of hosting major international swimming meets, a 25m warmup pool will be constructed at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

“I am pleased with this year’s budget, especially in my sector. It allows us to expand our programmes and to serve our people better,” Dr. Anthony said.

“Building a better Guyana is not about blaming the past or denying our own shortcomings. It is about recognizing that we need to raise above the pettiness, partisan, old style approach to one of better cooperation. It is not about so much where we stand, but in which direction we move. And I say this budget is moving us in the right direction, let’s stay the course for our common prosperity.”

With respect to the Synthetic Track currently under construction, Dr. Anthony said works will move apace on several aspects of that project this year.

“Contracts have been awarded and work is in progress on the perimeter fence, the land filling of the entire site, the parking area, the internal roads, the synthetic track, the football field, and areas designated for long jumps, pole vaulting, shotput, javelin etc. In this year budget we will start the construction of the stands and administrative buildings,” he explained.

The Minister added, “Boxing has always been a popular sport in Guyana. We have seen resurgence in boxing both at the amateur and professional levels. This year we will be adding new gym equipment to the ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym. Our intention is to make this into the best boxing training facility in Guyana. A Cuban coach has been contracted to develop boxing over the next two years.”

Additionally, Anthony revealed that the Ministry will commence the construction of a Sports Institute on Woodford Avenue, where a library will be housed and training will also take place.

“Coaches, officials, sportsmen and women, and all those students who would be writing sports at CXC levels will use it. This would vastly improve the human resources capacity necessary for a vibrant and robust sports system. This year we will also commence work on the development of National Coaches Accreditation System and an Officials Accreditation System. These systems will help to professionalize the sector,” Dr. Anthony stressed.

Among the other areas of focus this year will be school and community sports, where the Sport Ministry will partner with the Education Ministry to have more schools involved in physical activities.

“We will assist with the development of cricket, football, volleyball, basketball, athletics, table tennis and chess at both primary and secondary schools levels. At the community level, 180 million dollars has been set aside to improve community assets. The Ministry will give grants to communities. Communities are asked to send their requests to the National Sports Commission,” Dr. Anthony concluded.

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