Tuesday 17th December 2013 is going to be a big day for the Ministry of Sports with the sod-turning ceremony for the reconstruction of the National Athletic and Football stadium.

The stadium, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, will be built on the basis of cooperation between the Governments of Grenada and the People’s Republic of China.

Officials of both Governments will be in the spotlight at the sod-turning Tuesday at the stadium site.

Through the efforts of Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell in 2005, the reconstruction of the Athletic and football Stadium, along with the cricket facility, was first put on the table in Grenada’s quest establishing diplomatic relations with China.

At the time of opening up relations in 2005, China had agreed to rebuild the Cricket stadium, which was also destroyed by hurricane Ivan, as the first phase of the process.

The Cricket facility was seen as very important at the time, with Grenada already having given the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) the commitment that it will host some matches in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

The Chinese had pledged to complete the Cricket stadium in time for the World Cup and would come at a later stage and work on the athletic and football stadium, against the background that China was in the process of building facilities in Beijing for the upcoming Olympic Games.

But, following the the NDC’s victory at the polls on July 8, 2008, the Tillman Thomas administration shelved the plan for the rebuilding of the Athletic and Football Stadium, only to return to it later when Grenada’s Kirani James won Olympic gold in the 400 metre event in 2012. The NDC Government was previously attempting to get the Chinese to construct a 100-room hotel instead of rebuilding the Athletic and football facility.

But, in view of all the embarrassment, the NDC had to go back to the  original Mitchell/NNP Government plan of 2005 and their negotiations with the Chinese Government for support was now centred on giving up 1,000 low-income houses of the 2,000 Dr. Mitchell and the People’s Republic of China had agreed to in establishing diplomatic relations.

Things became very sketchy afterwards within the fold of the NDC party and Government. They both fell apart; the rudder of the Ship-of-state broken and NDC fell victim to the ballot box in the general elections of February 19, 2013, and the Athletic and Football stadium still in the same condition as hurricane Ivan left it.

On winning an overall mandate from the people, Dr. Mitchell, who is an ardent sporting fan, noted the importance of rebuilding the National Football and Athletic Stadium and immediately sort the Chinese help going full speed ahead with negotiations.

It has reached the stage where there’s once again agreement to rebuild the stadium, with some 70 million US dollars of grant funding from the Chinese Government.

The Grenada Government says the reconstruction of the Athletic and Football stadium is an all-important high priority, since it encompasses major activities of the Nation’s Youth.

Construction will begin in earnest early in the New Year but to start the process the official sod-turning ceremony will take place on Tuesday 17th December, 2013.

The Grenada Government is expecting to go full speed ahead with the reconstruction early in the New Year.

In her 2014 Budget contribution Sports Minister, Hon. Emmalin Pierre, spoke of being delighted that the long-awaited Athletic and Football stadium reconstruction which was halted by the previous administration will begin.

She also stated that thanks to the Chinese Government, lights will be installed at the cricket stadium next year to bring it in line with the latest trend in the game…night cricket.

Minister Pierre said all this is made possible because the ruling NNP Government in Office understands what the word development means, since everything that’s being done is in the interest of the people of the country and not in the interest of individuals.

Prime Minister Mitchell, in wrapping up debate on the 2014 Budget said he recently met with key officials of the West Indies Cricket board (WICB) and the future for the game of cricket in the region is very much dependent on playing facilities with lights for nighttime competition.

Hearing of Grenada’s plans to light up the cricket stadium, Dr. Mitchell said was joyful news to the ears of the WICB delegates.

Furthermore, as it relates to the development of the Nation’s people via the upgrading of facilities, the Grenadian leader noted that the reconstruction of the National Athletic and Football stadium will involve jobs for hundreds of our Nation’s tradesmen.