Sport Minister Charles Ramson made site visits to Region 10

Dear Editor,
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, Jr, was recently in Region 10, and made visits to two sporting facilities: Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC), and the Bayroc Sports Complex (BSC).
The Minister met with the executive body of the MSC to discuss the club’s future, but was dismayed at the deteriorating condition of the facility, and as such, indicated that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is committed to providing accessible recovery and reconstruction funding to this sports facility.

The Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) was built by the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA), which started mining bauxite in the area in 1916.
The MSC ground is the main events centre for the Linden area. Apart from cricket, the ground hosts soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, track and field, cycling, field hockey, and various cultural and social activities, such as the popular Linden Town Week. The main pavilion accommodates indoor events such as dominoes, billiards, table tennis, darts and the like. The pavilion also has two bars.

The MSC has produced a few past cricketers, among whom are Vincent Adams, Vibert Benjamin, Basil Butcher, Robert Calvern, Paul Dunbar, Lenny Fraser, Compton London, ‘Gunner’ Melville, Compton Parkinson, Vibert ‘Fisher’ Rogers, Wayne Stuger, Jeff Trotman, Gordon ‘Bull’ Waddle, Monty Weekes and Vibert Wright.

MSC previously participated in the Case Cup – the first division competition in the county of Demerara. It also played North-cote and Wight Cup matches.
Minister Ramson articulated the PPP/C Government intention to change young people’s lives and create a more inclusive and healthier nation, since sporting activities have the power to change lives. Being physically active is one of the best things a person can do for their physical and mental health.

He indicated that all young people in Linden should be able to grow up embracing the same opportunities and benefiting from the same initiatives, such as being able to engage in football sessions. He said that reconstruction of the MSC is vital to break down barriers to participation in sport for the benefit of young people.
He also said that being active can also bring about positive changes beyond participation, and impact positively on the health, wellbeing, skills and learning of young people, and on the health of communities by ensuring a more inclusive nation.

During his visit to the construction site of the Linden synthetic track, Minister Ramson and a technical team inspected the work and asked several important questions about the project, while the Minister expressed his satisfaction with the work ongoing at the construction of the Linden Synthetic Track.
Minister Ramson expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the Bayroc Community Centre Ground, where the track is currently being laid, and also with the quality of work being produced by the contractors and workers; and said he is confident the work would be completed within the deadline.

The Minister declared that Region #10 has always positively contributed to development of sporting activities in Guyana, and that the athletes have always represented Guyana well at international competitions. He encouraged the former national athletes who came out to meet his team to take pride in the facility and to also ensure the contractors deliver the highest quality of work, since the track will contribute to the improvement of athletics in Region 10 and the country at large.

Builders Hardware and General Supplies are constructing the $179M Linden Synthetic Track, which will have all amenities for all field events. The area at the centre of the track will be developed into a world class football field. Phase four includes laying of the synthetic material of an eight-lane, 400-metre track. Development of the pavilion and the additional space surrounding is a project that will be undertaken at a later date.

IAs Active Communities Youths and Development Workers explained the positive impact that the synthetic track will have on the young people. “Taking part in a club like this gives young people a purpose. They can learn to focus on something positive through sport, and escape from what can be a chaotic upbringing.
“The sense of belonging you get from taking part in a regular group is invaluable to someone who has experience of care. You become part of a different kind of family. One young lady said that she used to come and watch on the side lines as she didn’t think she would like football. She now comes every week and plays against boys here. Football has become a positive driving force and passion in her life.”

The Minister explained that at the Ministry of Sport, young people are at the heart of what they do, because they believe that young people should have a voice in sport, and he said this project is an excellent example of that.
He said the Guyana Government and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will do everything in their power to make a meaningful difference for young people in Region #10 and Guyana.

Sincerely,
David Adams