LESSONS learnt in the sporting arena are lessons that translate well for a united, yet diverse, country, such as Guyana. Essentially, this was the message from President Donald Ramotar, who touted the many benefits of sporting activities for Guyanese and, by extension, the country as a whole.
“With every successful sportsman and woman, you have a team that supports them…sports teach us to play by the rules, to abide by the laws. It helps us to work in unity and work together,” he said.
The President contended that sport builds cohesion in society and said, “This [facilities to encouraging sport] will help to build what we have been striving for…to give meaning to our motto, One People, One Nation, One Destiny…we see sports as making a huge contribution to developing a unique Guyanese culture.”
On the occasion of Fiday’s commissioning of the National Synthetic Track, at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, Mr. Ramotar agreed that the newly commissioned National Synthetic Track positions Guyana to move “beyond the bronze medal.”
The “bronze medal” was in reference to Guyana’s only Olympic medal, which was won in 1980. However, the country’s quest for Olympic glory has not faltered and consequent investments have been made.
Delivering the feature address at yesterday’s commissioning, the President assured the audience of his Administration’s commitment to the sports sector and called for the appointment of scouts, who will be tasked with identifying young people with potential who could be nurtured in the areas of sports.
“We can use that spotting of talent and be able to work a programme to develop it and become a world power in sports,” he said.
CHARGE DELIVERED
According to him, the new facility has many direct and indirect benefits and opens up opportunities, including the ability for Guyana to host regional and international sporting events, which has direct benefits for the tourism sector and the local economy.
“This facility gives us the possibility of holding many events in Guyana, which we could not have done in the past…we know we can now expose our young people and sportsmen and women to more regional and international competition, many of which we hope will take place right here.”
In line with this consideration, the President also charged the Ministries of Education and Sports to collaborate closely to ensure that as many young Guyanese as possible take advantage of the investments being made.
“I would like to see all schools track and field activities held here so that they [Guyanese youth] can be inspired to achieve higher and higher goals,” he said.
Mr. Ramotar made it clear that the Guyanese people are the catalysts for the development of Guyana and in recognition of this; his Administration’s focus has been on investing in areas that benefit young people.
“We hold the philosophy that the most important factor for development is our people. That is why we have been investing in our young people,” he said.
ONLY THE BEST
Hailing the National Synthetic Track as a “world-class facility,” the President was emphatic in stating that the Guyanese people deserve “nothing but the best.”
“We believe that the Guyanese people deserve nothing but the best,” he said, “They must have the best. This is what we want, the series of facilities we have invested in to help the development of our people.”
He cited the National Stadium, acclaimed for major cricket matches and the recently commissioned National Aquatic Centre, among others.
“In the future, we will work towards building more facilities in all the counties, so they can have the benefit of facilities to develop their skills,” Mr. Ramotar said.
He reiterated his Government’s commitment to supporting the sector.
“We cannot afford to stand still. We cannot afford to go back. We have to continually set our eyes on the future for us to keep moving forward….we must work to continue to build peace, progress and prosperity right across this land,” Mr. Ramotar stressed.
The President was among a line-up of officials, including Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, other ministry officials and members of the diplomatic corps, who witnessed the official opening of the facility, whose infrastructure will host both athletics and football events.