Minuscule thinking too restrictive

Dec 18, 2009 Sports

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By Rawle Welch
Despite the global economic downturn which affected many countries around the world, sports somehow managed to escape the real effects of the financial phenomenon, instead there were some stunning performances and shocking behaviour by athletes.
The year was highlighted by the jaw dropping performances by Usain Bolt, who obliterated his own 100 and 200 metres records, Filipino Manny Pacquiao’s crushing destruction of Miguel Cotto, MotoGP great Valentino Rossi winning his 9th world title, Trinidad and Tobago’s eye catching display at the ICC World T20 Tournament and golfing great Tiger Woods fall from grace due to marital betrayal, all combined to add excitement and intrigue to the world of sports in 2009.
However, Guyanese athletes were not to be outdone as they too produced some outstanding performances of their own which made us all proud.
Just to highlight a few, the junior Squash players successfully defended their regional titles just as the men’s and women’s rugby teams did, then there was the impressive performance of Darts champion Norman Madhoo, who by virtue of winning the Caribbean tournament earned another trip to the World Tournament, Abigail McDonald of Scrabble fame competed at the World Championship and according to reports performed creditably, our national football team despite falling further in FIFA’s recent rankings eventually won a competition in Suriname, solid results also came from our hockey teams in the Diamond Mineral Water International Festival, while impressive returns were obtained by the Power lifting and table tennis fraternities, Cleveland Forde’s dominance in two of the three legs of the South American 10K Road Race and we could go on.
Today, the Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony is scheduled to give a review of the Ministry’s performance in 2009 and it would be interesting to hear whether or not its act (s) managed to rival that of those athletes and disciplines mentioned above.
Recently, in a conversation with the Minister, the question was asked when the Ministry is going to move from the level of community development to that of supporting our most outstanding athletes in a more tangible way.
Their support which includes training expenses (dietary supplements, transportation and stipend) is critical if we’re to make a real impact on the regional and international stages.
It would entail substantial financial interventions which only the Government can afford for the construction of modern state-of-the-art facilities, investment in athletes preparations, coaches salaries in addition to other related expenditure in keeping with what obtains in other Caribbean territories and internationally.
Here in Guyana, there is no shortage of natural talent, but in a world where technology and scientific evolution are moving at a rapid pace, just being naturally talented would not suffice at the highest level.
One of the most heartening developments coming out of the Ministry recently is the move by the Minister to meet with the various stakeholders in sports on a weekly basis to advance its cause.
That is an important element in any push for development, the integral parties in constant dialogue, getting and giving updates of progress or difficulties.
As 2010 looms and with an anticipated busy schedule on the calendar, the hosting of a few international events, it is even more critical for us to meticulously plan our strategies to be excellent hosts.
More importantly, however, the New Year must see us aim to achieve unprecedented success at the regional and international levels.
The prolongation of minuscule thinking is too restrictive; the authorities must once again start to define policies that could earn us positive regional and world recognition.
We know all about that, we’ve been there before; it is only a matter of thinking big once again.
The move to get our boxers back to Cuba for training stints is a welcome one, but weren’t similar promises made to our athletes’ mid-year.
The onus is not completely on the Ministry or by extension the Government alone, associations will also have to work assiduously to qualify for support, but in disciplines where it is known that we dominate regionally, the general consensus, (though it may be deemed controversial) is for the Ministry to assert itself and not stifle growth.
Athletes must no longer be made to suffer because of a few self serving administrators, but rather benefit evidently for their sacrifices.
They have endured a lot, including shattered dreams and embarrassment and this scenario must be put to rest come next year.

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