On Saturday, President Irfaan Ali inaugurated a $68 million double squash court facility at the National Racquet Centre, marking a historic milestone in Guyana’s sporting landscape. This international-standard facility is the first of its kind in the country and the Caribbean’s first publicly funded squash venue. It is set to foster the development of young talent and attract both local and international squash tournaments to Guyana.
In his keynote address, President Ali described the commissioning of the facility as a collective achievement, emphasising the importance of squash in fostering national pride. “National pride is the most important ingredient for national unity, and national pride and unity are key to building national prosperity,” the President stated.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., also addressed the gathering, urging athletes to seize the opportunities presented by the new facility to elevate Guyana’s global standing. The Minister revealed that $27 million was spent on constructing the facility’s physical infrastructure, while $41 million was allocated for its interior fittings.
Senior members of the squash community, including Guyana Squash Association (GSA) President David Fernandez and player Ashley Khalid participated in this event.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, also praised the facility, highlighting its role in positioning Guyana as a regional sports hub. He further announced that similar state-of-the-art facilities for table tennis and badminton will soon be unveiled.
