The decision by the new A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) administration not to give sports its own ministry as was done previously by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government might not be the right move at this time.
Previously sport was grouped with culture and youth under the PPP/C administration and was known as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
However, with the change of government following the May 11 polls, sport will come under Education a situation some feel could lead to a reduction in the importance of sports to the country.
Troy Peters, experienced journalist and sports administrator,
sees Guyana becoming an important international sports destination in the future and believes that Sports Tourism could contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport the sports columnist, when asked about sport falling under the ministry of Education said:“While it might be good for the foundation, because you can go through education to develop sport, I think that sport in Guyana is at a position where it was about to take off because of what we have been seeing in recent times and should be given a higher profile.”
Peters, who served as Public Relations and Marketing Manager during Guyana’s hosting of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, disclosed that prior to the World Cup, Guyana was constrained from hosting international events due to facilities not up to international standard and a lack of hotel rooms.
He said this has now changed and with the construction of the National Stadium at Providence, a National Aquatic Centre, an Athletics Stadium, the Squash Racquet Centre and the increase in hotel rooms, Guyana is in a position to bid to host international events now and this should be the focus.
“The recent visit to Guyana by the President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) with an offer to assist this country to acquire an artificial turf could also be a fillip to Guyana developing as a new international sports destination, the former national hockey player declared.
He said Guyana already successfully hosted World Cup football qualifiers, international and regional cricket, NARIWA championships for Rugby and said that it was important that these trends must continue.
He said Guyana should be looking to host the Junior Carifta Games now that the Synthetic Track at Leonora is completed and swimming at the Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal.
“Sports Tourism is becoming the lifeline of the Caribbean tourism section and Guyana must position itself to benefit from the sports tourism dollar. Thousands of England fans travel to the West Indies to see their team play and the recent report of the United States Swimming team preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago are just two examples of what can also happen in Guyana.”
Education and Sports Budget
Last year, $32.2b dollars was earmarked for education in the Ashni Singh budget, the most for any sector while sports received $960,000 in comparison to the one billion dollars they received in 2013. With a new emphasis on sports being part of the education curriculum, money will have to be injected for the training of physical education teachers due to the shortage of such skills in the school system.
Peters said early signs by the incumbent minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine do not indicate that sport will be high on his priority list since Junior Education Minister Nicolette Henry will have responsibility for sport according to recent media reports.
Peters said the tabling of the National Sports Policy in Parliament will be the first step in knowing the new direction sport will take in the future and is calling on sports administrators to be proactive and be prepared to inject professionalism in the national associations.
Asked if the new government will have to start anew or use the one which was reportedly completed by the previous administration, Peters said:”
I am sure that most of the associations would have contributed to a sports policy so it might be better to build on that than to start all over for it might take years to put together. So I believe that the earlier it is tabled in parliament, the better it will be for everybody.
Peters said associations should be submitting at least five-year strategic programmes to the ministry and this would help the ministry to budget more effectively instead of what has been happening with associations where they are unable to send athletes overseas due to a lack of funding.
He is convinced corporate Guyana can do more for sport and looks forward to a holistic approach to the development of sport.
Peters closed by saying: “A lot more could have been done for sports and I expect a lot more to be done by this administration. I see the potential and I would always fight to see sports finds its rightful place in society.”
