Shadow Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueria, has congratulated the Guyana team for its notable performance at the 50th CARIFTA Games which was staged in Nassau, The Bahamas.
“I would like to extend congratulations to all of Guyana’s athletes who are participating in the 50th CARIFTA Games being held in Nassau, Bahamas. Your stellar performances in very challenging circumstances are noteworthy and most commendable and a clear signal of your commitment to your sport and our country and your great potential if provided with an environment conducive to the practice of your sport,” Figueira stated in a press release.
Guyana concluded the prestigious championships with a haul of eight medals [three gold, two silver and three bronze.]. The Guyanese won a total of seven medals in the previous edition in Jamaica.
However, Figueria criticised the executive committee of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) for their poor management and organization during the entirety of the campaign, noting that an investigation should be conducted to ascertain the reasons for the disorder which enveloped the team’s campaign.
He explained, “It goes without question that the president and the executives of the Athletics Association of Guyana, owe you and this nation an apology and explanation as to why there is poor management of the country’s sports ambassadors. This is patently unacceptable. An investigation should be launched, and its findings made public and corrective action be undertaken given the frequency of similar occurrences.” Following the team’s inability to return home due to a lack of travel arrangements by the AAG, the Government of Guyana undertook the financial responsibility to ensure the team’s safe return last evening.
According to Figueria, “I call on the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to act within its mandate and develop appropriate policies and programmes, while respecting the independence of sports associations and ensuring that our athletes are given nothing but the best of treatment both home and abroad. They deserve no less. I would like to commend the newly elected executives of the Guyana Olympic Association for the leadership you have given in these challenging circumstances, convincing all Guyanese that you are ready and prepared to work in the best interest of our athletes and sport in Guyana.”
