Linden Deputy Mayor Pushes for Sports Revival, Youth Support Under APNU Plans
The incomplete synthetic track at Bayroc, Linden, and the long-overdue McKenzie Sports Ground remain major concerns for athletes in the mining town. In an exclusive interview with Nightly News on Thursday, Linden’s Deputy Mayor, Dominique Blair — a former player for the Upper Demerara Football Club — pledged that under a new government, athletics and outdoor sports will be restored to their former glory.
Blair emphasized Linden’s historic success in track and field, vowing to make sports development a high priority. He welcomed A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) recently announced youth development plan, which centers on a National Youth Empowerment Scheme and a National Entrepreneurial Scheme.
The plan includes medical insurance for national sportsmen and women, as well as full sponsorship for athletes representing Guyana — a move Blair said would give young sports talents the security to train without financial fear. “Athletes could train and have insurance policies. We have the resources to take care of our athletes,” he said.
Addressing youth unemployment, Blair described it as a persistent challenge in the region. He said the APNU coalition plans to introduce a $50,000 monthly stipend for students enrolled in tertiary and technical institutions to help them remain financially stable while studying. “We are paying you to learn to empower yourself,” he explained.
