Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 12, 2011 Sports
On a day when the Guyana Squash Association joined with affiliates worldwide to commemorate World Squash Day, President Bharrat Jagdeo unveiled the plaque and subsequently delivered the keynote address to herald the commissioning of the Racquet Centre which consists of squash and lawn tennis courts on Woolford Avenue yesterday morning. This facility is touted to be the only such in the Caribbean region.
The project was overseen by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, under the direction of its Minister, Frank Anthony and the ceremony was graced by the presence of affiliates of the local squash fraternity, members of the diplomatic corps, officials of the National Sports Commission and other sports personnel among other delegates.
Mr. Jagdeo was pleased and lauded the hard work of his Minister and other auxiliary staff towards the completion of the project. He pointed out that the facility was a part of his government’s plans to provide contemporary facilities for the nation’s sports people. He said that in time administrators will be able to assess the effectiveness of the plans and projections of government to make such facilities available for use by the local sports fraternity.
The head of state said that his government had inherited poor sports infrastructure but he realized that sports and culture could be the catalyst of a united and healthy nation and therefore he felt constrained to invest in this department. He said also that while the world was undergoing grave economic vicissitudes, his government was able to brave the circumstances while giving some attention to the sports fraternity. “We’ve been able to achieve this through a systematic allocation of resources,” exhorted the President.
Mr. Jagdeo further pointed out that his government is operating under a philosophical construct that posits that as the economy expands the citizens will enjoy the benefits. He pointed out that a part of the plan is to decentralize sports venues and infrastructure so that all Guyanese could enjoy the benefits rather than just those residing in the capital city and its immediate environs.
Minister Anthony feels that the project is a significant move in the right direction even as he acknowledged the plan to decentralize sports infrastructure. He alluded to the recently commissioned aquatic center in Lilliendaal and the synthetic track currently under construction in Lenora ECD. The Minister said that this project will allow local athletes to hone their skills on a world class circuit in preparation for international assignments.
He also drew attention to the improved facility at Non Pariel saying that his Ministry has been able to install one more training court supported by larger accommodation for spectators. He said that the improved facilities should signal a new era in both disciplines. The centre will also house a library where DVDs, books and other materials could be accessed to facilitate sports research.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary in the MCYS, Alfred King informed that the squash court is the only one of its kind that can be found throughout the Caribbean. He acknowledged the skills of local squash queen Nicolette Fernandes and said that her consistency that earned her a number 52 ranking in the world acted as the catalyst to Government’s eventual decision to have the facility constructed. There are 2 squash courts‘ for competition purposes complimented by another two that will be used to facilitate practice sessions. There is also a store room as well one allocated for administrative purposes.
President of the Guyana Squash Association, Andrew Arjoon expressed deep appreciation to the government for the establishment of the project. He alluded to the increasing popularity of the sport while pointing out that the junior players have recently cemented their place as strong forces among their Caribbean counterparts. He then beseeched the government for an enlarged viewing area so as to allow a wider cross section of spectators in his executives’ bid to popularize the sport locally.
Design and Construction Services Ltd is the company that won the contract bid and engineer, Patrick Pitt said that he started works on the project in January last year. He admitted to unavoidable setbacks but blamed the erratic weather patterns, delayed shipping and labour issues as the main culprits.
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