By Akeem Greene
President Dr. Irfaan Ali is looking beyond the impending wealth from the country’s riches in oil and gas to one where Guyana is developed as the premier destination for entertainment and sport tourism in the region.
“We are working in the next few weeks to design an annual programme to position Guyana as a premier destination for entertainment and sports tourism in the region,” the Head of State said during a briefing at his Shiv Chanderpaul Drive Office on Tuesday.
The President’s comments came on the heels of what was deemed a successful hosting of Cricket Carnival under the theme ‘One Guyana’ and feels “it will blossom into something massive for Guyana.”
Cricket Carnival was developed to coincide with the country hosting the entire finals week of the Caribbean Premier League from 2022-24, and many of the events were well-attended as there was an influx of visitors to the country.
The President is looking further afield to create a similar impact with other sport disciplines in the country.
“We are working on modifying our horse racing to make it a premier regional event, attracting international participation [and] working in the motor racing industry. I have already asked a team to reach out to the World Boxing Council (WBC) to see how we can become a venue for World Boxing Council events”, President Ali disclosed.
In April, the President sat ringside to witness a WBC International Super Flyweight between Guyanese Elton Dharry and Orlando Penalba of Panama at the National Stadium, Providence.
“It is not an easy road but it is a vision we are pursuing to position Guyana beyond Oil and Gas…what Oil and Gas does, is that it gives us the revenue to build the infrastructure to support the advancement and broadening of the economy, and that is what we are targeting”, President Ali emphasised.
NICE