Gov’t grants Allen10,000 square feet of land

Ian Allen, local cricketer and former member of the West Indies Cricket team, has been granted 10,000 square feet of land from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

Allen received the title deed to land at Clare Valley during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Housing Land and Development Corporation (HLDC) on Wednesday, December 14, 2011.

Allen, accepting the title deed, expressed thanks to all persons involved in the process, including Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, officials of the HLDC, former Minister of Sports Mike Browne, Minister of Housing etc Clayton Burgin and Minister in the New Democratic Party Administration John Horne.

Minister of Housing etc Clayton Burgin, giving remarks at the ceremony, stated that in 1991, when Allen had made the West Indies team, the NDP administration, which was in government at that time, had agreed to present Allen with a piece of land. Burgin added that this promise was, however, not fulfilled by the NDP administration.

Burgin said that the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration is delighted to present Allen with the land and mentioned the emphasis placed on sporting development in the country and the encouragement given to young people in the field of sports.

“We often emphasize that there are numerous opportunities for making a living through sports,” Burgin said.

Burgin also said that a number persons have been made goodwill ambassadors in SVG in sports and culture, adding that it is a trend that they will continue to pursue, as long as the ULP administration is in government. Burgin also commended Allen on his performance as a member of the West Indies Cricket Team.

Allen also expressed hope that he will not be the only sportsman to receive such a gift.

“I hope that I would not be the only person who will benefit from this, but other sports persons who have represented St. Vincent and the West Indies or any other sporting discipline in their sporting career,” he said.(OS)