Attention Vice-President/Senior Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. Attention Minister Nicolette Henry. Attention Chairman, National Sports Commission. Attention Director of Sport. Attention Chairman, Guyana Olympic Association. Attention Sports Committee, Guyana Teachers Union and Heads of Sports Association and clubs countrywide. Here is an appeal from a senior citizen/sports enthusiast: Let Guyana begin to prepare for the Olympic games of 2020 from this very August 2016 month-end! Prepare? How?
My suggestions will be regarded, I know, as simple, fundamental, perhaps reeking of (too much) commonsense. But first, some background.
Sport – and planning sport
Most societies and cultures can do little to prevent sport from happening, from being ever-present. As a pastime, or physical activity engaged in for pleasure; sport is a part of personal, community, national life.
But in many societies there is now a level of sport which attracts the attention and support of governments and their budgetary allocations. Some nations even regard organized sport in the same manner as food production, national health plans and education. Victories, even just participation and recognition in international sporting arenas evoke a national sense of achievement and pride.
And some of today’s international sports bodies – as in athletics, boxing, football, cricket – are akin to global ‘governments.’ They do command attention of governments, even of financial institutions.
Yes, a nation worth its salt knows that sport teaches discipline and the virtues of dedication. Patriotism steps in when national membership promotes love of participating to succeed. Technology also now allows us to watch and enjoy sport, but also to note the finer points of various games of sport.
I was on an attachment to the then ministry of sport when a Canadian expert helped fashion the fundamentals of a national sports policy which embraced schools, community, regions, private, public sectors, the nation. Pretty great groundwork. But like the counterpart national youth policy, that guideline seems submerged.
Then, with all the (inevitable) delays, overruns, controversies, politics, very much needed sport infrastructure began to appear – cricket stadium, aquatic centre, racquet centre, athletic track, national assistance, to community sports grounds. But always, the nation’s sports thrust seemed dogged by lack of long-term preparation, lack of financial resources and about three Ps – personalities, partisanship and politics. What is to be done? My simple, (simplistic?) proposals.
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‘Phases’ onto Tokyo 2020
Whether phases or stages, I plead that persons and organisations mentioned in my opening paragraph should convene to chart the journey to Olympics 2020.
Strangely – or ironically – scores of relevant leaders in sport know what is needed and necessary. This time they should strive to acquire and implement. Is it beyond them over the next four years?
Choice of sport disciplines to be “offered” in Tokyo. Among them, I suggest, should be: Boxing, football, cycling, athletics, swimming, volleyball, and another six. What is required therefore? Finance, personnel, training continuously, employment, competition. Talent-spotting by year-end and beyond. Selectees to be nurtured and mentored non-stop! Their education, health, mental well-being and familial bonds to be supported by state and private concerns. The schools, the clubs, the community must be the crucibles of preparation for four years. Even the army must assist.
Naturally, I’m assuming that from next month our National Sports Commission will guide sports organisation – anew– to be viable, transparent, professional and modernistic. And oh! Three questions helpful to our Olympic preparations: Where do sports potential for specific disciplines reside? How can international sports scholarships be accessed? Who, which body, is the custodian of sport in Guyana? Stay tuned.
Inside the PPP – for next week…
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) war room executive, strategists, PR and propaganda seniors are planning next week’s press conferences, outreaches and bottom-house forays.
General Secretary Clement Rohee has long decided to submerge his initial silent outrage had felt when Comrade Janet had baptized relative outsider Bharrat to be president. Clement had seethed watching how Bharrat used government to submerge party.
But survival trumped in-fighting. Position, power and loot had to be maintained against a common Afro- centric political enemy. Out of office now the party had ‘a good week’ last week onto tricks – acceptable and/or dirty – for the coming week.
Bharrat: “Clement, Norton was a God-send! Keep at him next week and call Dr Hanoman some names.”
Gail: “But on the more positive side, we have to resuscitate sports meetings and more charity in certain areas. Our Youth component on the Electoral list has gone too silent, too complacent.”
Donald Rabindranath and Anil agreed that a clever statement should be released about David Granger’s proposed African Lands Commission and more division could be promoted at Georgetown’s City Council.
Dr Luncheon: “Hydar’s letters are useful but we need to get some valid dirt on people like Williams, Jordan and Patterson. I’ll tell you all a little more about Patterson after I talk to that contractor fellow.”
The exec then agree to promote doubt about the economy by getting their private sector comrade to rebut the IMF and World Bank projections. Finally for this session it was agreed to push two other issue: Division and diffusion in the AFC and to dramatise criminal activity.
Watch for these next week – PPP style!
Ponder…
Acquire the old Co-op Bank Building in Stabroek and convert into a modern Vendors Mall.
There is a Commissioner of Information, an ombudsman, FIU and soon, SARA. Any “boss” necessary?
My President? An apologist-in-chief? Never!
‘Til next week
