Time for affirmative options

Sep 17, 2009 Sports

-National Sports Policy could provide the answer

These rotting beams which are used in gymnastics are stationed in the yard of the National Gymnasium. Gymnastics was a part of our sports programme sometime ago, but sadly it is no longer.

By Rawle Welch
As Guyana continue to struggle to gain positive results both regionally and internationally in sport, it would be interesting to know what are the Government and or the Ministry of Sport policy for its holistic development.
In the absence of a National Sports Policy, it would therefore be difficult to ascertain what are the priorities of the two entities as it relates to their eagerness to help change the flagging fortunes of our sportsmen and women as well as provide facilities that could encourage mass participation in sport among our citizens.
At a time when there is dire need for affirmative options to crime and other negative social behaviour, it would seem imperative that we find ways to address those issues which are definitely stymieing national development.
One would have thought that the burgeoning success of the rest of the Caribbean might have brought a rapid and comprehensive national discussion of what is needed to pave the way for our re-introduction into the privileged status of reckoning among our regional counterparts, but instead, there has been a deafening and worrisome silence from those who have the mandate to effect change. Only recently I received a photocopy of an article in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper which highlighted the Government’s massive support for sports development in that country.
The article reported that every stratum of the society is expected to benefit from the support that is being provided by the T&T Government and even though some may argue that the financial disparity between the two countries must be taken into consideration, the mere fact that some sort of policy is noticeably absent gravely underlines the gravity of the problem here.
Just as is required when one decides to construct a building where an architectural drawing or plan is needed, so too is a well defined policy that will take into account plans and projections with achievable targets within a specified timeframe the focus.
In T&T’s case, the upgrade and construction of current and new facilities in various districts including recreational grounds were among the top priorities of the Government and I repeat all aimed at total participation as they prepare to become the hub of sports in the Caribbean.
Here, the construction of an Olympic-size swimming pool and the resurfacing of the tennis courts at Non Pariel seem to be the only projects earmarked by the Ministry this year and even though they both are welcomed additions to the already depleted set of sports facilities, they will not benefit the majority.
Local sports administrators have repeatedly lamented the inadequacy of facilities coupled with the substandard of those that are available, so it therefore comes as no surprise that we’ve not done too well in many disciplines, except for a few.
With the usual excuse of limited financial resources, it becomes imperative that whenever there are deliberations on which facilities are best to construct or upgrade, the decision must be to do those that could benefit a wider cross section of the society.
There is need for more support for upgrade of existing facilities in many of our communities, while the expansion of the coaching bureau that falls under the auspices of the National Sports Commission should also be one of the focal points for national development.
Young Guyanese are yearning for alternatives, but because of the absence of a National Policy on Sports Development, many of their dreams and aspirations have been shattered, thus placing a further burden on the national coffers.