Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is making good on the sporting projections he made to Parliament during his national budget address. He said sports is emerging into a fledging professional industry in Dominica and the country is excelling at national and regional sports, prompting the need to construct multi-purpose sporting facilities for the youths.
The prime minister said his administration will focus on the construction of new sporting facilities to encourage increased youths participation in various sports as well as create a sporting career for talented sportsmen.
The spotlight will fall on the construction of a number of sporting facilities that will create additional avenues for development of the talents of our youth, and position Dominica as a major contender in the hosting of regional and other tournaments, similar to what has been achieved with the construction of the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
The Windsor Park Sports Stadium (WPSS) is currently undergoing expansive rehabilitation, and the addition of basketball, tennis, netball and volleyball courts are in steady progress. New equipment, lighting and other infrastructure are also being added to add international value to the stadium. The rehabilitation is currently managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Constituency Empowerment.
WPSS is not only going to be a sporting facility where youths can hone their sporting potentials, it will also be a social hub where youths can socialize and sports fans can cheer their favourite teams during competitions. Apart from this, the sum of $3 million is to be assigned for the construction of a National Multi-Sports Complex in Stock Farm; this facility will be equipped with amenities for swimming, lawn tennis, basketball, volleyball and netball among others.
The following sports initiatives are also budgeted for in the current fiscal year according to PM Skerrit:
- Renovation of the Youth Division Building
- Rehabilitation of Geneva Playing Field
- Rehabilitation of Colihaut Playing Field
- Rehabilitation of Massacre Playing Field
- Covering of the Massacre Basketball Court
- Construction of Tennis and Netball Courts at Portsmouth
- Construction of the National Gymnasium
- Construction of a multi-purpose court for Roseau
While the skills and other training to which we attach high priority, challenge the mind, the condition of the physical body is critical for a full and productive life, the value of sports and sporting activities is an indispensable contributor to a full and healthy life.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
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