Guyana and the Caribbean Games…NATION COULD BE LEFT BEHIND

Sep 14, 2008 Sports

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By Edison Jefford

Just to make the necessary connection to the two previous parts in this series, the Games, which include Boxing, Track and Field, Volleyball, Netball and probably Swimming, are slated for Trinidad and Tobago, July 13–19, 2009.

Since it was the Trinidad and Tobago’s Government that tabled the Games’ proposal, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) was given the first option of hosting the 2009 Games with Cuba as an alternative host.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has committed some $35 million TT, which is approximately US$5.6 million, towards the success of the Games. It has also pledged to underwrite the entire cost of the Games

In that milieu, the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) approached CARICOM with a document asking the organisation of the Caribbean Community to implore support from Governments.

CARICOM agreed and the Government of Guyana, like the other participating countries, received a letter in that regard. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport then forwarded the letter to the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

It must be said that the communication protocol for the support of the Caribbean Games was properly disseminated at the political level. The GOA also did the right thing when they got the relevant affiliates immediately involved.

Kaieteur Sport understands that the GOA had asked all the relevant disciplines for their cooperation in making Guyana’s participation at the Caribbean Games a success, which ultimately authenticated Guyana’s involvement.

So far, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has responded to the clarion call in a letter stating that they are willing to participate. It is not clear whether the other relevant associations have responded similarly.

The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) met yesterday to set an approach, among other things, that will allow them to participate under the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA).

The GVF told this newspaper that they were made aware of their awkward dilemma after closely following this series on the Games. “We became concerned about our position,” GVF President, Lennox Shuffler said.
Because Guyana is also known as a South American country, the GVF is affiliated to the Confederation of South American Volleyball (CSV) which prohibits them from competing in the NORCECA bloc.

Last year, the GVF was granted permission to play ‘friendly’ games in the Caribbean for developmental purposes. The possible elimination of Guyana’s volleyball teams from the Games obviously limits Guyana’s participation.

The top six volleyball teams, according to NORCECA and the host, based on their world ranking, will be allowed to compete at the Caribbean Games. The GVF will most likely have to appeal to the Caribbean Zonal Association.

That was one concern. There are others that will be enunciated here. Guyana’s account in athletics will present challenges. While the criterion for participation is more relaxed than the other disciplines, Guyana has a representation problem.

There is an ‘entry qualification system’ for each athletics event. Most likely, that system will demand a certain qualifying time. While times are yet to be determined, one can guess that many of our prospects will be left behind.

Sprinters Rawle Greene and Alisha Fortune have made their intentions to participate clear but whether they will be able to meet the required standard remains a concern since the Caribbean Games takes a ‘mini–Olympics’ format.

Guyana can easily resort to its overseas campaigners in the personage of Marian Burnett, Aliann Pompey and Adam Harris but that will definitely be insufficient for a forum that seeks to maximise regional participation.
The ‘field’ events aspect on the local track and field calendar was abolished a long time now. The AAG will have difficulties pinpointing competitive ‘field’ events athletes that can make the qualification mark.

This, again, could limit Guyana’s participation to what it was at major meets over the past two decades–mere representations, which, in effect, undermines the idea and purpose of the Caribbean Games.

The fundamental concept of the Games is to allow a regional competitive platform for both prominent and emerging athletes. This stage will seek to foster patronage and athleticism at the highest possible level.

Lavern Fraser and Guyana’s netball fraternity is an active group but their primary problem emerges from lack of exposure in the Caribbean, which works against them when considering the ‘system of qualification’.

According to the system, the Caribbean Netball Federation (CNF) will determine those teams that meet an ‘elite standard’. Whether Guyana will be considered in that ‘elite’ group is difficult to ascertain for the above mentioned reason.

The country was not too active in the region for the past decade, which will most likely be the yardstick of the CNF, who will perceptibly look at teams Guyana has played against and teams they have beaten during that time.

The results will yield a conventional truth that when it comes to regional tournaments, Guyana is a big ‘no–show’.

However, President of the local netball body, Dr. Maxine Parris–Aaron could open talks with CNF to clarify Guyana’s position.

The International Swimming Federation [in English] has openly expressed concerns over the facilities available in Trinidad to host such an event. Because the discipline is in doubt, it will be exempted of critique at this forum.

Guyana’s boxers must have an International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) record book to participate in the eleven weight divisions of the Caribbean Games. Boxing could emerge as Guyana’s ‘knight in shining armour’.

During the last decade, Guyana has produced five world title holders, several challengers and numerous amateurs that have held their own on the regional circuit. The country’s lone Olympic medal came in this discipline 28 years ago.

It is clear that a basis for performance in boxing is predetermined with whatever little financial support the sport gets.

Imagine what this discipline can accomplish if more resources are pumped into the many gyms.
The Government has theoretically set the right example with initiating the move toward Guyana’s participation at the Caribbean Games but the GOA and relevant associations must ensure that they do not drop the baton.

(This is the final part of a three–part series on the Caribbean Games. The first part dealt with the concept of the Games while the second part looked at the structure of events to be contested at the Games).

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