Sport Ministry refuses to renew fmr. minister’s stadium management contract

Anthony Xavier 

Former Minister of Public Works and later Culture Youth and Sport under the People Progressive Party Civic Anthony Xavier was unable to get his contract renewed by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport to manage the Guyana National Stadium.

In a letter to Xavier from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Melissa Tucker, the former minister was told that he failed to indicate to the ministry within a stipulated timeline as outlined in his contract, his intention to continue his management of the facility.

Speaking with BIG Smith News Watch on Tuesday, Xavier said his 2018 contract stipulated that he inform the ministry three months prior of any intention to continue as the National Stadium Manager.

Asked why he did not follow the guidelines of the contract, Xavier explained that he was literally caught up with work, hence he inadvertently forgot the deadline clause within his contract and only informed the ministry about his intention to continue, one month before the contract expired.

Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Charles Ramson two months ago, visited the stadium and expressed concerns that photos were circulated to sections of the press suggesting that the facility was damaged during a football game which was organised by the Kashif & Shanghai ‘Bounce Back’ tournament.

Xavier served as Minister of Public Works when under the PPP when the Guyana National Stadium was built. He later moved on to Minister of Culture Youth and Sport before ending his ministerial career in 2006. In 2007, he was appointed Manager of the Stadium and served in that capacity until April 30 when his contract was not renewed.

Asked how he felt moving on from the facility he has such close ties with, Xavier said he was disappointed with the manner in which he who served this country in the capacity of a senior public servant, legislator and minister of government was treated.

Xavier said he has had a trouble-free fourteen years managing the National Stadium under a number of presidents and Ministers of Sport.

“Himself and the PS treated me shabbily and from being a former minister, senior public servant and legislator for all these years, I thought I was treated shabbily,” Xavier said when asked how he felt about non-renewal of his contract.

On Tuesday efforts to solicit a comment from Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Charles Ramson were futile.