A veteran is what Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs boldly called himself on Monday night as he presented his maiden address to the National Assembly during the 2026 National Budget debate.
The former national off-spinner chose the self-proclaimed title for not once referring to his script as he proceeded to defend government’s record G$1.558 trillion budget, speaking fervidly about the administration’s plans for the country and its people.
He made reference to two previous opposition members engaging in a “reading challenge” during their presentation.
“I feel like a veteran Mr. Speaker because I don’t need notes. Everything is factual. They’re seeing it on the ground,” Jacobs posited.
The Junior Sport Minister insisted throughout his approximately 35 minutes presentation that criticism of the government by opposition MPs must be grounded in facts and not rhetoric and fiction.
APNU member Nima Flue-Bess, the shadow minister for sport, had accused the government of prioritising “infrastructure over athletes” following a significant shift in the budgetary allocation for the sector, which went from $8B in 2025 to $6B this year.
While the government maintains that the decrease is a direct consequence of the completion of major construction projects, the opposition argues that the “human element” of sport is being overlooked.
Flue-Bess argued: “Infrastructure is important, but it is no substitute for athlete development. Grassroot organisations remain underfunded. While we see grounds being lit, many of these projects face delays, poor maintenance, and safety issues.”
Jacobs, in an animated presentation, echoed the vision of President Irfaan Ali to make Guyana a hub for major regional and international events, noting that facilities are a critical element of that endeavour.
“Not so long ago members on the other side questioned why the Global Super League is here, questioned why we decided to have the CPL Finals here in Guyana, and I wonder if they will question the GT3 Challenge de las Americas, which will happen here in July,” Jacobs countered.
“That is how we expand sport tourism by having the necessary facilities and bringing the tournaments here. That is what we do; that is how we give opportunities to our athletes.”
Jacobs, a former West Indies Under-19 World Cup captain who played domestic and franchise cricket between 2006 and 2019, declared to the House: “I’m what you call a true patriot; I represented this country with distinction in cricket. I can talk on behalf of the sportsmen and women of this country, because I’ve been there and done that and I’m working for them now.”
He added: “You go ask the associations and you see that they came out in support of this budget because they understand that when President Irfaan Ali sits with them, when minister Charles (Ramson Jr.) sits with them, when I sit with them, we don’t make fake promises.”
Jacobs told the National Assembly that several major infrastructural projects will be commissioned this year, starting with the Bayroc Track and Field facility this weekend, while plans are in the pipeline for an elite programme for prospective Olympic athletes.
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