Athletes support and infrastructure to be hallmark for Minister Norton in 2018
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton

MINISTER Dr George Norton yesterday said the $520M allocated for sports in the 2018 Budget, will help to create a cohesive society, while touting athletes and infrastructural development, as well as coaches’ education and support for national sport teams.

In his over 35-minute presentation, the Minister of Social Cohesion who also holds the portfolio for Sport, spoke passionately as he highlighted the vital role of sports in today’s society, while adding how proud he is of Guyana’s achievement in sports since the change of Government in 2015.

Norton mentioned the achievement in the field of athletics alone. “Guyana now stands out as a proud nation, not only in the Caribbean but in all of South America.
“For the first time, Guyana hosted the South American Junior Under-20 Championship in June of this year and Guyana gained, for the first time, 25 medals, including 3 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals but that, not being a flash in the pond, we also participated in the CARIFTA Games held in Curacao in April where with 5 athletes, we got 4 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.

“The icing on the cake was the feat of Daniel Williams from Linden, who copped a silver medal in the world U-18 Championship in Nairobi, Kenya and in the South American Senior, Winston George won a gold medal in the 400 metres.

“Only recently in the South American Youth Games in Chile, we had young rising female star, Deshanna Skeete winning gold in the 400 metres, also from Linden and Jermaine King from Cumberland, Canje placing second in the 200 metres and Kenisha Phillips gaining silver medals in both the 100 and 200 metres,” said Norton.

In 2017, Dr Norton noted the Ministry moved to enhance a number of grounds for recreational purposes and “all of the regions have been targeted, because of the value of sport and particularly the availability of open spaces for promoting cohesion.”
“In Region 1, the Mabaruma Settlement Ground is being upgraded, as well as the Pomona Ground in Region 2, Parika and La Retraite Stanleytown ground, to name a few. Region 6 would see work done at the Number 53, Union Ground and Gibraltar/Fyrish ground,” Dr Norton highlighted.

Meanwhile, the Social Cohesion Minister told the National Assembly that Government is pursuing the application of a comprehensive National Sports Policy, based on consultations, as a matter of good governance, transparency and accountability.
Looking ahead, Dr Norton related that phasing into 2018 two additional synthetic tracks will be laid in Guyana, in the coastal and interior hubs of Regions 6 and 10.

The remodelling of the National Gymnasium, Norton told the ‘House’, will see the addition of two multipurpose courts to facilitate Futsal, Tennis, Basketball and Volleyball as well as the addition of bleachers.
This allocation, Norton said, would ensure that the Multipurpose facility being established in Bartica to cater for at least six disciplines (Circle Tennis, Volleyball, Football, Tennis, Cricket and Futsal) at the Bartica Community Centre ground, would be completed.

The support of athletes through the provision of grants will continue to be a permanent feature of the Guyana Government, with the budget providing G$25M being made available to assist athletes to participate in local and international tournaments.
“We plan to not only participate in the Commonwealth Games, but to participate with 23 athletes, as well as in the Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia with a large number of athletes. The male and female hockey teams have already qualified,” the minister said.

He further added, “We must also not forget about boxing where we gained a silver in the Commonwealth Youth Boxing Championship in Mr (Keevin) Allicock as well as winning the Caribbean Boxing Championship in 2015 and 2016.”

“Mr Speaker, the budget of the Ministry of Social Cohesion would be expended, in the areas outlined. It would enable the Ministry to make contributions to support Guyana in achieving the UNDP sustainable development goals, particularly Goal 10, which addresses Reduced Inequality, Goal 11 which gives attention to Sustainable Communities and Goal 16, which emphasises Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.”

“Summarily Mr Speaker the allocation would also position the Ministry to provide support to my Government’s vision of a Green Economy. It would allow me to continue to lead the Ministry to ensure that our country becomes a unified one, where diversities are embraced, conflicts are resolved, networks and collaboration with stakeholders strengthened, equity promoted and decision-making processes result in equal opportunities and benefits for all.”

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