MINISTER of Social Cohesion with the responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton, on Tuesday evening underscored the Government’s commitment towards sports development in Guyana, a country, which he says is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic.
Dr Norton made the disclosure during his feature address at the National Sports Commission Awards Ceremony, held at the Savannah Suite of the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Minister Norton maintained that while much is still to be done in the sector, he observed that the awards recognise the excellence in Guyanese sports.

Indeed there is much more to be done to develop our country’s sporting landscape, improve existing facilities and the construct new facilities across Guyana.

“We, the administration, will work towards the rebuilding the spectator culture across all disciplines, and at the same time ensure that there is a policy framework, which will facilitate growth and opportunities for athletes, academic associations, clubs and all communities,” Dr Norton said.

The minister further noted that the awards ceremony coincide perfectly with Guyana’s Independence and the National Youth Week, and it is indicative of the cohesive trust of this government to work in the interest of its citizens.
He congratulated the awardees, adding that with such an impressive ceremony, Guyana has much to celebrate.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the NSC, Dr Colin Roach, during his presentation said the NSC will continue to promote sport locally, since sport plays a vital component in society.
Dr Roach further indicated that the NSC acknowledged the continued contribution of the awardees and nominees towards the development of the sector in Guyana.
Meanwhile, F4 driver Calvin Ming and female hockey player Marzana Fiedtkou copped the top awards.

Ming was named Senior Sportsman-of-the-Year while Fiedtkou was voted the Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year.

On the junior side, athlete Compton Caesar and boxer Keevin Allicock were declared joint winners in the Male category, while athlete Chantoba Bright won the Female segment.

Other awardees were:
Most Improved Association – Guyana Hockey Board
Association-of-the-Year – Athletics Association of Guyana
Female Sport Personality – Latisha Mokutnauth
Male Sport Personality – Norman ‘Juice Man’ Welch
Male Coach – Esaun Crandon
Female Coach – Candacie McKenzie
Male Sport Official – Philip Fernandes
Female Sport Official – Dion Cush-Barnwell
Sportsman PWDs – Ganesh Singh
Sportswoman PWDs – Faith King
Sports Team – Guyana Under-19 cricket team
Journalist (TV) – Akeem Greene
Journalist (Online) – Royston Alkins
Photographer – Adrian Narine
Special Awards went to the Campbellville Secondary School, Walter Grant-Stuart, Rawle Toney, and Troy Doris, Guyana’s 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who was a special guest at the ceremony.