Gavin Singh, president of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF), has hailed the 2022 budget allocation for sport as revolutionary saying it would create a platform for the local development of the sport.
This was stated during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday.
“In Guyana, we have the 2022 budget presented to the National Parliament, which saw a Youth, Sports and Culture allocation of $5.5 billion. This will create an avenue for sports development in the different regions of Guyana with an impact on sustainability and monetary growth. As the president of the GMMAF, this allocation, if managed appropriately, will impact fruitfully towards Guyana’s sporting fraternity, hence, putting Guyana on the map regionally, and internationally.”
The Government of Guyana, via its Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in the 2022 budget allocation, presented an unprecedented figure of $5.5 billion, of which $2.2 billion will be directly utilised for category of sports.
Singh further posited, “The involvement of federations and clubs is pivotal to fostering this growth for Guyana’s projected development. The government’s decisive decision to youth involvement and development will pave a harmonious horizon from the different backgrounds and create a sense of purpose with allowing the national mandate of the ideal Guyanese youth to be born.”
He noted that the budget provides an avenue for development at the grassroots level, adding that the current investment by the present administration commences the process of generational growth and evolution for the respective disciplines.
“At the grassroots level, it provides a productive outlet for young people, keeping their focus and engagement with the asset of boosting their self-esteem, thereby reducing their vulnerability to harmful social influences. Furthermore, this can promote qualities like perseverance, teamwork, and leadership – the elements of soft skills employers seek in job candidates. The investment of sports in Guyana is planting the seed of progress for our generation tomorrow.”
Guyana was initiated into the doctrine of the IMMAF community at the recently concluded Annual General meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This was attended by countries from all continents and highlighted the spectrum of talent, culture, and unity.
