With the conclusion of general elections and subsequent victory for the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC), wholesale changes will quickly occur across the ministerial platform of the nation.
One of the most important changes that will come to fruition is the filling of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport portfolio previously held by Dr. Frank Anthony and the Director of Sport position held by the long-serving Neil Kumar.
Stabroek Sports in an invited comment with several heads of local sports associations, asked who they believe were the most suited individuals to hold the aforesaid posts and what were the expectations of the new administration.
Following are the views.
Karan Juman Yassin – Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President.
“I really can’t name who are the best persons but I expect more outreach from the sport ministry, more cooperation not only with Guyana Olympic Association but with all the sporting associations.
“I expect the needs of coaches and athletes will be looked at so that sports can move ahead constructively. I have also spoken about having fulltime coaches and I hope that they move sincerely towards this and also be able to satisfy the need of athletes who are also not fulltime.”
Nigel Hinds- President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF).
“The implementation of the Sports Policy in the manifesto is more important than the persons that will hold the offices. In particular, the manifesto speaks to the investment of sport and ensuring that all sporting disciplines participate in all Caribbean level championships.
“Whether it’s squash, football, basketball and any other discipline, they will assist to fund the teams and the players. That will be a big boost to sports and will act as a motivator to young people that there is an opportunity for them to represent their country.
“Even more important is the subvention for each sport discipline from the national budget which is in their manifesto. Once this is done, they will be in excellent shape.”
Phillip Fernandes – President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB).
It is hard to say but I would like someone who comes from a sport background because that person will have a better perspective to understand what is required to produce athletes, a better understanding of what is required to prepare athletes and a better understanding of the importance of facilities and regular competition and international exposure.
“They will also have a better understanding of the need to upgrade personnel such as referees and administrators and if you have that understanding, we will go far. In terms of a name, maybe a David Patterson. However for me what is more important than the name is the things mentioned. Maybe a former sports administrator, a former athlete or a former official, that kind of individual.”
Lavern Fraser-Thomas – President of the Guyana Netball Association (GNA).
“I haven’t thought about who would be a good person. I have not given it much thought but what I would say whoever it is other than being an administrator, should have a sporting background.
“To me sports administration by itself is a whole subject on its own so it’s necessary to understand the culture and how that would affect sport as a whole and each individual in it. For me that would be an integral part of who is going to be there.
“I would hope that whether at the ministerial or Director of Sport position, there can be discussions with groups of associations or one-on-one to try and identify what is actually needed to support the development of particular sport disciplines.
“Each discipline where there are at right now, need different things. Other than that, they definitely need to have a sporting background as well as sport administration under their belt because it has its own dynamics and for these persons to be successful, they need to have that.”