Talent in abundance

Mar 25, 2015 Sports

By Rawle Welch
No one could dispute the fact that the Nestle Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition is having a positive impact on the sport’s landscape in Guyana and the goodwill of the sponsor and the foresight of organisers Petra Organisation will become visible in the not so distant future.
Judging from the standard of play this year there is much optimism that Guyana’s football fortunes will turn around providing that the powers that be display the kind of administrative acumen that would allow the rich talent that is oozing in the current competition to be properly harnessed and showcased.
Nestle Milo’s confirmation of confidence is being demonstrated every year since the Petra Organisation approached them with the idea of assisting in the upgrading of the standard of the sport in Guyana, but more particularly within the Georgetown environ three years ago.
The gradual improvement of the standard of play on the pitch combined with the buildup of rivalry among the participating schools was missing from the sport for a very long time and while the Petra Organisation must come in for high praise, the huge effort of cellular phone Company Digicel must never be overlooked.
This Company undertook a venture that no other corporate entity or even the Government ever contemplated to attempt, they took the bold step to organise a nationwide tournament that involved every region in this expansive country, an mission never seen before and one that cost millions of dollars, but to the benefit of this nation.
It was this tournament (Digicel) that served to re-ignite the kind of rivalry among schools that this country was accustomed to in the 70s and 80s, but disappeared just like sports on the schools curriculum.
The rewards of these two competitions are being reaped in small measure now, but in a few years time, judging from the talent on display in both tournaments, the national grid will be crammed with players coming out of them.
The corporate community and Government must understand that the creation of sports stars commences at the school level in most cases and there is where meaningful investment must be made, especially for constructive nation building.
The establishment of a robust Sports Policy that has the full backing of all stakeholders and not just lackeys of the Government is the document that will influence a different mindset among those willing to invest in sports development.
A nation that invests in the development of its youths is one that could escape the scourge of deviant behaviour and one that stands a great chance of producing world class athletes which then lends to free promotion throughout the world.
The national rugby players have done this (promotion) without much thanks or real recognition; the Golden Jaguars have done the same even in the absence of tangible investment so there are glaring examples of the benefits of investing in sports.
Many other teams and athletes have donned national colours with distinction on different stages in sports, but yet when it comes to giving genuine support is required there is this bearing of uncertainty.
The support for sports continue to be shouldered mainly by at maximum half a dozen corporate entities and when you consider the support given to the delinquent ones by many of our athletes it should prompt a rethink of such an uncaring attitude towards the youths of this country.
A call is being made to the Government and corporate community to demonstrate more love for the youths of this country and help them realise their dreams. Out of a possible ten their combined performance is rated at three and this is unacceptable.

Latest News

Talent in abundance

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

GPF arrests Presidential Guards by 48 runs as cricket action gets...

Superbet supports One Guyana 3×3 Quest

FIDE Master Drayton outclasses strong competition...

Wiltshire, Chris dominoes tourney set for March

Houston Sec’, New Central, Saints sent packing

Charles’ all-round performance helps EBDCA U23...

Features/Columnists

No immigrant should feel safe in America today

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

From Bharrat, the Blusterer to Howard, the Coward

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Talent in abundance

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]