BUDGET 2026: Sport Ministry’s agenda elevates from ‘building stadiums’ to ‘athlete-centered programmes’

The government has unveiled its largest-ever national budget of $1.558 trillion, but some headlines about the sport sector focus on an apparent $2 billion drop in funding compared to 2025.

However, the subject ministers insist this is not just a cut, but a calculated pivot from building stadiums to filling them with athletes.

The 2026 budget estimates show the total sport allocation moving from just under $8 billion in 2025 to $6 billion this year.

The decrease is driven almost entirely by a reduction in “capital expenditure”- the cost of construction- as several major projects reach the finish line.

Speaking to News Room Sport following the budget presentation, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., explained that the heavy lifting in construction is nearly over.

“There is an increase on the recurrent side because we want more activity; we spent a lot on the facilities, [so] we are going towards completion [now],” Minister Ramson Jr said.

“We are tapering off on the capital investment where those facilities have been identified, and the projects have started, and we are now at 90% completion.”

The capital budget for sport has dropped from over $7B last year to $4.7B in 2026. This comes despite a difficult period where some contractors were terminated for failing to deliver.

“A number of projects have started all across the country, and it was a big undertaking for us,” the Minister explained. “There have been a number of contractors who have failed us…so that has slowed the delivery, but we are opening five new stadiums this year.”

SHIFT TO PROGRAMMES

While the construction bill has decreased, “current expenditure”- the money spent on people, coaching, and maintenance- has risen from $1B to $1.3B.

Minister with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, says this is vital to ensure the new infrastructure projects do not become a series of ‘white elephants.’

“It is a continuation and focus on coaches so that when we finish these facilities, we have the manpower to manage programmes at these facilities,” Minister Jacobs stated.

He also revealed that a new national sport policy would be unveiled later this year.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh echoed this sentiment during his address, noting that talent alone is no guarantee of success.

“Sports is big business and we are committed to providing the enabling environment for our young athletes to take advantage and grab these opportunities with both hands,” he told the National Assembly.

The government plans to complete several high-profile venues in Bayroc, New Amsterdam, Palmyra, Anna Regina and Mackenzie, along with indoor sport complexes in various regions.

New projects will also be initiated, including Guyana’s first powerlifting and high-performance conditioning facility and a cricket academy at Albion.

Beyond the stadiums, $1.2B has been allocated for youth development, which will see the expansion of the Youth Entrepreneurial and Skills Training (YEST) programme, with the government targeting 13,000 young people to benefit from vocational training, robotics, and apprenticeship stipends.