When the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) unveiled its bold 2024-2032 Strategic and Operational Plan, following the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Games last year, it breathed hope into stakeholders. Entering 2025, it is unclear when and if those plans are actually going to be implemented.
Among those plans were enhanced support for athletes, improved administrative capacities, and the integration of sports science. The proposing of those initiatives appeared to signal a new dawn for sports in Guyana. Yet, nearly five months after the plan’s announcement, questions are surfacing about the promises.
These commitments, coupled with a pledge to collaborate with key stakeholders, painted a vision of a more competitive and sustainable sports programme for the country.
However, as the new Olympic cycle begins, many of these ambitions are yet to be realized, or even started.
One of the GOA’s key promises was the integration of sports science through partnerships with the Ministry of Health and the University of Guyana. Yet, there has been no visible progress in establishing these programmes.
However, one must commend the current GOA for increasing the financial support of 47 athletes and 24 coaches while maintaining a separate stipend for elite athletes.
Currently the GOA supports 47 athletes and 24 coaches with a monthly stipend of $40,000. This support was increased from $20,000 under the tenure of the current executive. Despite that increase, current GOA President Godfrey Munroe last year acknowledged that the stipend is not enough.
Additionally, through direct funding from the Olympic Solidarity Fund, 11 elite athletes have been receiving a monthly stipend of USD $700 (around $140,000) over the last four years.
While that is a positive, the GOA’s commitment to stakeholder engagement appears to have fallen short as there has been no communication since the Strategic Operational Plan announcement last year.
Even though the GOA’s intentions may have been genuine, the seeming absence of meaningful action undermines its credibility. The question now is whether these promises were made in good faith or simply as a public relations exercise to quell criticism following the 2024 Olympics.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looming closer on the horizon, the onus is on the GOA to begin turning its plans into reality.
Until then, it begs the question – will the GOA’s ambitious plan lead to a brighter future for Guyana’s athletes?