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Pattern of support must be extended to all national teams
By Rawle Welch
The rousing farewell ceremony that was organised for our national cricketers (Amazon Conquerors) who left on Monday morning to participate in the Champions League T20 Tournament in South Africa was befitting for champions.
It was especially so because they are our national heroes and representatives of the Caribbean going to participate in a prestigious competition, and all those who were responsible for putting the ceremony together must be commended.
The presence of two ministers of Government and a Member of Parliament undoubtedly demonstrated that apart from the nation’s support, officialdom was also sparing no opportunity to ensure that they leave here with the full knowledge that all Guyana was rallying behind them.
When that happens it creates an atmosphere of camaraderie and cohesion and those two elements help relieve them of the stress and strain of the off-field concerns and allow them to focus on the on-field preparations.
However, this pattern of support must not stop at the national cricket team, but must be extended to all our national teams in the future.
Very shortly a large contingent of athletes from eight disciplines including rugby, rifle shooting, Squash, table tennis, boxing, swimming, cycling and athletics will leave here to represent us at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India and every Guyanese will be hoping that similar support is given to those athletes.
They are all national representatives with the same aim as our cricketers and even though some of them will be coming from disciplines that are not considered mainstream on our sports index, the mere fact that they will be attending such an esteemed event, the full support from Government and its functionaries and the nation at large must be a priority.
It seems local officials are beginning to see the need to get more integrally involved in sport development and even if it might appear as if it is being done at a leisurely rate, the fact is that they are becoming more sensitive to the needs of our athletes.
The shift in policy from the major stakeholders, though not as decisive as one would like, seems to have started and one could only hope that the propulsion is forward in motion where everyone benefits and is not hindered by those who’re not interested in positive development.
Our CAC and NACRA Championships team is one that merits full support, while Squash champion Nicolette Fernandes has proven herself at the highest level and she too needs all the encouragement, so it is now up to the relevant authorities to ensure that we get good results from the athletes who’re attending the Games by supplying the financial injection and neutral attitude that will inspire them to achieve solid results.
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