Sport Minister confirms four stadiums on schedule for opening in 2025

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. on Sunday confirmed that four stadiums are on course for opening in 2025, with the fifth one to be commissioned in 2026.

“The President Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C government in its mission to rapidly develop Guyana decided as part of an intergrated and comprehensive vision that it would build and/or complete five (5) stadiums, a record for any country in the region,” Minister Ramson Jr. said.

He added: “Two of the five stadiums were the infamous failed track and field projects which were inherited from the APNU-AFC led Government.”

In pointing out that all five stadium projects are within budget, Minister Ramson Jr. highlighted that these facilities will each be completed for less than the cost of the Durban Park project, which was tipped at G$1.6 billion.

“The APNU-AFC led government lied to Guyanese year after year that the tracks would be completed knowing fully well that it did not even purchase the synthetic material for the tracks. It was the President Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Government which procured the synthetic material at a cost of more than one million Euros,” Minister Ramson Jr. explained.

“Both of those facilities, along with the two multi-purpose stadiums, are on schedule for opening this year, while the Palmyra international stadium is on schedule for opening next year.

“This is a record for any Caribbean country or government, especially when the only comparison from the APNU+AFC led government for a sports facility is the Durban Park project where G$600 million remains unaccounted for. Importantly all five stadiums are within budget.”

President Ali has consistently spoken about government’s intent to make Guyana a hub for major international sport and entertainment events.

Just last Friday, at the opening of the Jewelz by King’s Hotel in Georgetown, he announced plans for the construction of a world-class indoor facility in the country.

Tipped to house 15,000 persons, this facility will put Guyana in a prime position to host major sport and entertainment events, among them Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), international boxing, NBA playoff games and major international concerts, President Ali highlighted.