Anna Regina Stadium to feature one of the fastest-drying surfaces in Caribbean — Minister Jacobs

The newly constructed Anna Regina International Stadium will feature one of the fastest-drying surfaces in the Caribbean, ensuring the facility can be used year-round for a wide range of activities.

This key highlight was revealed by Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Tuesday.

Minister Jacobs explained that the facility’s year-round usability will drastically strengthen Region Two’s capacity to host major sporting, cultural, and community events, benefiting athletes and communities alike.

“This will be one of the fastest drying surfaces in the entire Caribbean,” Minister Jacobs said.

He noted that this continuous availability will not only accommodate a packed calendar of activities but will also generate significant economic benefits for the region.

“It gives an opportunity to host major events. If it is cultural events, all of that can happen in that space and that in turn stimulates economic opportunities,” he stated.

The stadium has already demonstrated its potential during a recent softball tournament, which served as a trial event for the facility.

Building on this momentum, the venue is also expected to host the ExxonMobil Guyana youth programme, further expanding opportunities for youth engagement and development across the region.

According to the Minister, the stadium ultimately provides residents with a modern space that significantly boosts sports development and creates new opportunities for athletes and youth across Region Two.

As part of activities surrounding the stadium’s commissioning on July 3, cricket legends Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara will participate in a special exhibition match alongside current and former Guyanese cricketers, including players from Region Two.

Minister Jacobs said their presence will provide a valuable opportunity for young athletes and cricket enthusiasts to interact with some of the region’s most accomplished players and learn from their experiences.

“When you have somebody like Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara, as a young upcoming athlete in cricket, it inspires you because you would want to be like them someday,” the minister noted. [DPI]