Air-conditioned squash courts and athlete accommodation in pipeline – President Ali

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced significant upcoming investments in the National Racquet Centre, revealing that the recently commissioned international-standard squash courts will soon be air-conditioned, with dedicated athlete accommodation also planned for the compound.

The announcement was made during the official opening of the 2025 ENet Senior Caribbean Squash Championships on Wednesday night.

President Ali detailed that the enhanced national squash complex will feature added amenities, including accommodation explicitly built for regional and international athletes wishing to train in Guyana.

He stressed that the facility must serve not only tournaments but also the wider Caribbean region.

“We’re investing in courts all across the country,” President Ali confirmed, detailing the government’s commitment to expanding the sport nationally.

“Equipment is being distributed in schools, community centres and villages, and we now have people in the hinterland playing squash. Full facilities will soon be available in hinterland regions.”

The President praised the Guyana Squash Association (GSA), calling them “extraordinary in many ways” with “unbeatable leadership and a culture built on pride, partnership and results.”

The plan builds on the recent completion of state-of-the-art international doubles squash courts at the National Racquet Centre, a G$68 million investment opened in February 2025.

This facility is unique within the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) as it is a public court able to convert three single courts into two international-standard doubles courts—a format increasingly integral to junior and senior regional tournaments.

With the new additions, the centre will boast up to five singles courts, alongside existing tennis courts and a forthcoming facility for badminton and table tennis.

President Ali highlighted the vital role of sports tourism in national development and urged the GSA to develop a robust business model to capitalise on the burgeoning global market.

The GSA is already setting ambitious goals, aspiring to host the Junior Pan American Championships in the near future.