The sport sector has been allocated a record $2.2B for this year’s budget.
This is according to Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, who made the disclosure yesterday during his 2022 national budget presentation in Parliament.
The sum of $2.2B is a significant increase from last year’s allocation of $1.5B.
Reading from a prepared speech, Singh outlined that $1.4 billion has been 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.
Last year, 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 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,” said Singh during his presentation.
The investment being made in the sector is aimed at ensuring the execution of the President Irfaan Ali’s vision of a “bottom-up approach” to the development of sports.
