GOA links athlete funding to results under revamped grant system

Dec 05, 2025 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has introduced a strengthened oversight framework for its PanAm Sports Support Grant, signaling a shift toward heightened accountability and performance-based funding for national athletes.

At a media briefing on Wednesday at Olympic House, GOA officials outlined the revamped system to athletes, coaches, and federation representatives, emphasising that continued access to the grant will depend on consistent reporting and tangible athletic progress.

GOA links athlete funding to results under revamped grant system

Athletes and coaches at the GOA (Stabroek News photo)

The programme currently assists 72 athletes and their coaches from disciplines such as athletics, boxing, and racquet sports.

Each athlete is allocated US$200 ($40,000) monthly, disbursed every quarter, seen as a significant increase from the G$20,000 previously provided.

According to GOA President Godfrey Munroe, however, the focus has now shifted from simply offering financial help to ensuring that the investment yields improved performances.

Munroe explained that in past cycles, some beneficiaries neglected to submit required updates on their training and competition activities, a lapse that created challenges for the GOA in meeting its accountability obligations to PanAm Sports and the International Olympic Committee.

To correct past shortcomings, the GOA will enforce a more structured reporting system. Athletes and coaches must now complete detailed evaluation documents outlining their training, performance metrics, and use of funds.

Additionally, a new monitoring mobile app, set to launch within two weeks, will allow for real-time tracking of training sessions, workload management, and performance statistics.

As part of the enhanced structure, Munroe also revealed that the collective group of supported athletes will now be officially branded as “The Olympic Team,” giving greater visibility and prestige to those selected.

GOA Vice-President Christy Campbell underscored the renewed emphasis on discipline and organisation, noting that the reforms are intended to strengthen the administrative systems of the federations responsible for putting athletes forward.

The 72 athletes nominated by their respective associations represent a wide cross-section of sports:

Tennis (9) – Kalyca Fraser, Leyland Leacock, Jonathan Fagundes, Kimora Erskine, Afruica Gentle, Gavin Lewis, Nathan DeNobrega, Paula Kalekeyzi, Zephan Henry

Table Tennis (8) – Colin France, Candacy McKenzie, Jasmine Billingy, Thuraia Thomas, Samara Sukhai, Jonathan Van Lange, Elishaba Johnson, Niran Bissu.

Squash (9) – Carl Ince, Nyron Joseph, Kirsten Gomes, Emily Fung-A-Fat, Ethan Bulkan, Jason-Ray Khalil, Samuel Ince, Nicolette Fernandes, Mary Fung-A-Fat

Weightlifting (4) – Sean Cozier, Tyson English, Delice Adonis, Shammah Noel

Boxing (7) – Michael Parris, Lennox Daniels, Jeff Roberts, Abiola Jackman, Akeelah Vancooten, Terron Wintz, Ken Harvey

Badminton (3) – Akili Haynes, Priyanna Ramdhani, Frank Waddell

Cycling (3) – Alexander Leung, Aaron Newton, Sidney Sandy

Athletics (17) – Lyndon Wilson, Johnny Gravesande, Keisa Burnette, Quinse Clarke, Robin Phillips, Moses Pantlitz, Ezekiel Millington, Noelex Holder, Shemar Horatio, Tishawn Easton, Kaidon Persaud, Savannah Adams, Cassie Small, Analissa Redmond, Akeem Stewart, Deshanna Skeete, Kenisha Philips, Leslain Baird

Archery (4) – Umasankar Madray, Jeewanram Persaud, Faraad Gani, Devin Persaud-Permaul

Bodybuilding (4) – Christina Ramsammy, Julio Sinclair, Emmerson Campbell, Videsh Sookram

Rugby (3) – Claudius Butts, Ronaldo Griffith, Lionel Holder

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athlete, funding, GOA, grant system

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