THE redeveloped Four R Electrical Govind Park was officially opened yesterday by the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hon. Maciu Nalumisa.
The atmosphere was filled with joy and pride as the people of Ba turned out in large numbers to be part of the historic reopening of the town’s sporting venue.
The redevelopment is seen as a major milestone, not only for Ba but for the country’s broader sports and community development goals.
During his speech, Minister Nalumisa highlighted that the Govind Park redevelopment was part of the Government’s bigger vision one where sport is not just entertainment, but a catalyst for health, unity, economic activity, and national pride.
“Sport teaches us discipline, resilience, teamwork, and inclusion.
“It empowers our youth, strengthens our identity, and builds social cohesion, ” he said.
He added that investments in sporting infrastructure like Govind Park contribute to local employment, tourism growth, and a vibrant economy.
“This redevelopment is part of a bigger vision, one where sport is no longer seen as just entertainment but as a driver of health, unity, economic activity and national pride.”
The Minister also took the opportunity to reflect on the 2025–2026 National Budget, which he described as one of the most ambitious and people-focused in the nation’s history. He listed several initiatives introduced to combat the rising cost of living, including the reduction of VAT from 15% to 12.5%, the continuation of zero-rated VAT on 22 essential items, and over $500 million in direct cost-of-living relief.
He further announced that essential service subsidies now cover households earning under $30,000, helping ensure access to subsidised water, electricity, and medicines. Public transport fares have also been reduced by 10%, easing the burden on students, workers, vendors, and the elderly.
“We have continued the $200 Back-to-School grant per child because we believe that no child should be left behind due to poverty,” the Minister said.
The reopening of Govind Park not only marks a major boost for sports in the Western Division but also reflects the Government’s continued investment in community-driven development.
