WITH the staggering airfare cost of approximately US$600 per person to travel to St Lucia, among other costs, the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) is unsure that it will be able to take the hoped-for full complement of 40 athletes to the upcoming 22nd Goodwill Swim Meet set for August 12–18. “The team has been selected but there’s a major issue with funding at the moment, so we’re waiting for more information on if we will be going or not.
The ticket cost is extremely high at the moment. It costs more to go to St Lucia than to go to the United States of America. It’s US$634 at the moment, and that’s the group fare,” National coach Sean Baksh told Chronicle Sport on Tuesday.
The costs translate to over G$120 000 per person, and that’s just for the air fare. This overwhelming cost has seen swimmers decline their selection to the team, citing their inability to fund the costs of attending the annual developmental meet.
“We had shortlisted the full 40 but a few people have opted out because of the cost, because everybody has to pay for themselves. At the moment 23 people are on board, our team should be 40, but a lot of people have decided that the cost is too high; but we’re keeping our fingers crossed,” Baksh said.
According to Baksh, while the Association will look at covering the costs for the officials, it can by no means afford to fund the 40 athletes. Or even the twenty-three. A team of 40 swimmers would require eight officials, and a smaller number of athletes will see less officials.
Nonetheless, Baksh assured that, despite the odds, Guyana will be represented by a team at the event, however small that team may have to be.
“We’re certain that we’re sending a few people but these tickets. We are in training with the hopes that we’re going; we haven’t changed anything to say that we’re not going, “ Baksh declared.
Aside from the tickets the team is also facing a US$220 per person charge for accommodation, meals and transportation in the host country. Not done yet, there is also the cost of team uniforms, airport tax and transportation to and from the airport in Guyana.
Some of the hopefuls on the team so far include national record holder Aleka Persaud, Leon Seaton, Nathon Hackett, Antonio Rodrigues and the Mahaica siblings – Paul, Patrice and Kenita.
The smaller team will definitely affect the team’s chances of doing better at the event, where Guyana have not fared well over the years.
“Our medal hopefuls are there and we’re looking good. We would have done better than we did in previous games, but these tickets, the cost is just through the roof. Since we can’t field a full team we would get no points out of the relays, that in itself will be a disadvantage,” Baksh said.
Guyana last year fielded a team of 31 swimmers last year, when the event was held in Trinidad. The team returned with 29 medals including seven gold, ten silver and twelve bronze. However, the team finished fifth overall, behind Trinidad, Suriname, Barbados and St Lucia, respectively. Persaud was by far Guyana’s most decorated swimmer at the event.
Meanwhile, the shortlisted team continues training as per normal. The swimmers train at the National Aquatic Centre six days a week, with two sessions each day from Monday through Friday and one session, 06:00hrs – 08:00hrs on Saturdays.