The President Michel Martelly, accompanied by First Lady, Sophia Martelly, proceeded to the official reopening of the Gymnasium Vincent (ruelle Romain, Port-au-Prince), Monday, May 14, in the presence of several thousand fans of the sport. The Head of State expressed his satisfaction to have restored the crest of this socio-cultural and sports center heavily damaged by the earthquake of January 12, 2010. Several kilometers of road have also been rehabilitated in the area.
To this reopening ceremony, the new Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, along with most members of his cabinet, joined the presidential couple shortly after the favorable vote of the House of Representatives following its general policy statement.
The Head of State thanked all those involved in this project and announced that the floor of the Gymnasium Vincent will be offered by the NBA (National Basketball Association). Rehabilitation works were executed on the initiative of the Presidency, with funding from USAID. According to Jon Piechwosky, the Public Affairs Advisor to the Embassy of the United States, these works have cost 910.000 U.S. dollars. Despite a few finishing touches to be made, citizens have applauded this noble initiative.
he renovation of the Gymnasium Vincent, who previously helped to relocate victims who occupied much of this space, is further proof of the interest taken by the Presidency to the development of Haitian youth. This reopening was an opportunity for the Head of State, to express its sincere appreciation to the Haitian people that renews every day his confidence in the goodwill and commitment manifest of its President to change the situation of the country.
The President of the Republic took the opportunity to reiterate, once again, his call for collaboration to all sectors of the national life for the improvement of living conditions of Haitians, convinced that we must put aside personal interests to move gradually towards change in the interest of all.
