Dear Editor,
While I have highlighted the subject of floodlights before, I feel compelled to reinforce what I believe is a legitimate claim by the residents of the Essequibo Coast. It is becoming increasingly obvious that sport is underdeveloped in Essequibo, with several sporting organizations either dormant or poorly administered.
In fact this situation has led to the absence of a financial injection from their parent bodies and even the Ministry of Sport. I was pleased to learn, however, that the Albion Sports Complex in Berbice will benefit from government’s support to install flood-lights at the facility. It is in this context therefore that I am appealing to the Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony to seriously consider installing such lights at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground (ARCCG) which is the main sporting facility on the Essequibo Coast.
I have seen the enormous benefits that can be derived, especially in Trinidad and Tobago where almost every community and private ground has lights. This has encouraged the participation of both the young and the elderly either for training or practising while promoting social integration, community vigilance and even the economic spin-off of vending.
In Essequibo the ARCCG is being utilized daily by approximately seventy-five persons involved in different sporting disciplines, including cricket, football, basketball, athletics, as well as those retired people who want to maintain healthy lifestyle through jogging and exercising. The opportunity, however, is limited since activities cease with the onset of evening.
I sincerely hope that the deprived Essequibans can benefit from having longer hours of training which effectively will promote and sustain coordinated sporting activities.
The lights will provide a consciousness of the importance of competing since sports at present in Essequibo are viewed in a casual way as well as being regarded as insignificant.
There are no organized competitions for the footballers even though they are out in huge numbers on the field every day, and the other disciplines basically have the same pattern. The passion and desire however remain, even without the leadership, administrative inducements and adequate resources such as lights which would allow those with talent could express themselves.
Perhaps I should suggest that the Anna Regina Town Council which has responsibility for the ARCCG in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Office of the President can utilize monies through the Community Development Sports Project which has seen a number of grounds upgraded across the country, even though I am disappointed by the manner in which some of those projects have been executed in Essequibo. In fact through voluntary efforts by the members of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee and the Region 2 administration, the ARCCG will have newly laid pitches, boundary ropes and other accompanying facilities that will enhance the ground in keeping with first-class standards. I therefore implore the Minister to accede to the wishes of Essequibians and have lights installed at the ARCCG as a long term investment towards reviving sport and a healthy lifestyle in Essequibo.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
