BUDGET 2022: $2.2B allocated for development of Sport

Sport has seen another significant increase in its budgetary allocations with the government investing $2.2 billion, according to Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh.

Dr. Singh made the disclosure during his 2022 Budget presentation on Wednesday in Parliament.

In 2021, $1.5 billion was budgeted for sport.

Dr. Singh detailed that $1.4 billion is budgeted in 2022 for sports infrastructure and development, including for the completion of the synthetic tracks in Regions Six and 10; the multi-purpose sports facilities; the erection of stands at the National Track and Field Centre; rehabilitation works at the National Stadium to support the Cricket Academy; construction of pavilions at Region Six and 10; and the procurement of sports gear.

Of this amount, $250 million is also budgeted for the continued improvement of the community grounds.

In 2021, 25 community grounds across Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10 were upgraded, and preparatory works have begun for the construction of the multi-purpose sports facilities at Regions Two, Six and 10.

Aside from this, the sum of $45.8 million is also allocated for maintenance works to sports facilities, including Mackenzie Sports Club, Kwakwani Recreational Centre, National Aquatic Centre and Colgrain Pool.

The Senior Finance Minister in his speech further stated, “The sports programme aims to ensure that all Guyanese are provided with opportunities to participate in sporting activities, thereby channelling energies, abilities and talents to contribute meaningfully to national development, in its various dimensions.”

The investment being made in the sector is aimed at ensuring the execution of the President’s vision for a vision of a “bottom-up approach” to the development of sports.