GINA – THE Government of Indian has agreed to assist the Government of Guyana in building a multi-purpose stadium at a cost of US$20M. This was disclosed by President Bharrat Jagdeo who visited India earlier this month.
This is his second visit to India, the first being in August last year when the Head of State requested assistance to build the stadium and the Indian Government indicated its willingness to assist.
A team of Indian experts visited Guyana in early December to follow up on the proposal made by President Jagdeo. The site identified for the stadium is Providence, East Bank Demerara.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) asked several persons about their views on the benefits of the multi-purpose stadium:
Here are their responses:
Kishun Dial
1. I like the idea because we will have more space to play cricket, it would be better than the Bourda Ground. There would also be more adequate parking space, where people can go in and have a nice time.
Lindon Alves
2. I think the youths will be able to have a better atmosphere to play and the facilities will be better for international cricket.
Joseph Taylor
3. it would bring in income and through that it will open a new road at Providence. This means that more homes can be built around the stadium. Hotels and businesses in Guyana will gain; a vendor like me would be gaining. So it is a good thing that the stadium would be in Guyana and in the future, instead of playing cricket in Georgetown, it would be playing on the East Bank.
Randolph Jainarine
4.It would be a good thing for the guys who like cricket and the cricket fans.
Phillip Johnson
5. I think it is a good idea, economically; wise and it would benefit everybody.
Leila Wong
6.I think that the cricket stadium that they will be building is a good idea because we need one like that in this country.
Lallman Persaud
7. I believe it would be one of the greatest things that Guyana would achieve and I think it would be very nice with all the youths coming up involved in sports. And I am a proud of the Indian Government in assisting our country.
Clifton Browne
8. It is a good thing for us to have a stadium because Guyana has a lot of sports, especially cricket, athletics and football. So I think it is a good idea.
Tribohan Soboha
9. I think it is a great step ahead for the future, because cricket is a world entertainment game, when you look at it. So I think it is a great step ahead for us Guyanese.