Sport Ministry, NSC assess facilities in Kwakwani for upgrades

Officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission (NSC) conducted an assessment of several recreational and sport facilities in Kwakwani on Wednesday with a view of ensuring there are upgrades.

The officials visited the football field, the basketball court, Kwakwani Recreational Centre, State House, Club House and Swimming pools.

Minister Kwame McCoy, who is acting as the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport due to the substantive Minister, Charles Ramson Jr., being overseas, noted that the assessment of the facilities will determine what works are needed for inclusion in the Recreational and Ground Enhancement Programme.

“So that we could prepare this community to be able to bring its best potential to the fore and be able to produce the best athletes and sports personalities, like we want to do in every other community across this country and you have seen us invest already in many communities across Guyana”, Minister McCoy stated.

The Minister noted that the 2021 budget, which caters for initiatives like synthetic tracts, mini stadiums and other initiatives gives sportsmen and women a better chance to succeed.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle noted that since the Ministry has been given responsibility for the clubhouse and the State House, the assessment will determine which facilities need to be catered for in the 2022 budget.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammed expressed similar views, noting that the Ministry is in support of improving the community.

“Kwakwani is one of the places that we really wanted to visit because they have produced real top-class athletes throughout the years, the basketball court, they are the champions with basketball at the school level and they continue to produce really, really outstanding players,” he highlighted.

Following the assessment, he pointed out that some of the facilities are in relatively good condition, “some of the buildings are in excellent condition, the football field like most other fields in the country, after the rains and everything needs some work and we are getting an opportunity to see and assess everything that has to be done, with the football field, with the swimming pools and with the basketball court we will take it back get to the drawing boards and do stuff.”

Ann Gordon, a national basketball coach and resident of Kwakwani said there are many youths in the community who stand to benefit from the upgrade of these facilities.

“It would be very beneficial to the young people, especially through sports in the area because Kwakwani has been producing top quality level of sportsmen and sportswomen for a number of years now, and one of the things that we definitely need is infrastructure, things improved, because we can’t be going back or stagnated, we need to go forward,” the resident said.

Earlier this year, The National Assembly approved $186.4 million to facilitate more infrastructural works through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Ground Enhancement Programme. (A modified DPI release)