The National Sports Resource Centre – a new beginning for sports in Guyana

FRIDAY, February 21, 2014 marked another memorable day for all Guyanese and especially for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission and the Sports Fraternity.
The National Sports Resource Centre was commissioned by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport the Hon. Dr Frank Anthony.This G$55M+ project adds to the ambience of the National Racquet Centre which accommodates the tennis courts and the squash courts.
The commissioning of this important and necessary facility marks a new beginning for sports in Guyana. The National Sports Resource Centre will create the opportunity for athletes to be exposed to information, via print and electronic media, which will take them and the various sports disciplines to the highest level.
The National Sports Resource Centre is the forerunner for a National Sports Institute which is an essential necessity if Guyana is to continue with positive development in the world of sports.
This aesthetic and educational facility is expected to give guidance, training and certification to the stakeholders in sports – athletes, coaches, umpires, referees, scorers, journalists, managers, chaperones, technical persons and even the general public.
The facility houses a library of books covering various sports disciplines which will guide all involved for the proper preparation and effective management, a section for online researchers and a conference room which will be used for theoretical training and presentations.
To complement the impressive commissioning ceremony, which was attended by a large number of Guyanese, was the lecture entitled ‘The History and Development of Cricket in Guyana and the West Indies (1860s–1960s)’ which was conducted in the conference room. This historic educational talk was done by the eminent Professor Clem Seecharan, Professor of Caribbean History, Head of Caribbean Studies, London Metropolitan University.
Professor Clem Seecharran BA, MA, PhD, a Guyanese, is a writer and historian of Indo Caribbean experience as well as a historian of West Indies cricket. Among his alma maters are Sheet Anchor Anglican School, Berbice Educational Institute, Queen’s College (Guyana), MacMaster University (Canada), the University of Warwick (London).
In 2002 Clem was awarded a Professorship in History at the London Metropolitan University where he is now Emeritus Professor of History. He was also in 2002 awarded a certificate of Distinction by the Guyana High Commission (UK) for his “achievement in his profession in the United Kingdom”.
-As a distinguished historian, he is the author of a number of publications.
Professor Seecharan’s most successful, respected and admired lecture attracted the attendance and attention of many recognised Guyanese of the calibre of Dr Frank Anthony, Dr James Rose, Dr Ian McDonald, Dr Rupert Roopnarine, Dr Tota Mangar, Mrs Doreen De Caries, Mr. Hector Edwards, Mr Conrad Plummer, Prof. Evans, Mr. Alfred King, foreign diplomats among others. The impeccable lecture generated much interesting and inspiring discussions from the cadre of highly trained minds who were present.
It is anticipated that the lecture will set the stage for monthly occurrences which will attract large attendance of persons of various levels.
The President, Secretary and other Executive Members of the Guyana Cricket Board were all present and participated in the inaugural lecture at Guyana’s National Sports Resource Centre.
It is imperative that officials who represent National teams and Guyana be better trained and qualified to represent our teams and country. Gone are the days when Guyana will be represented by mediocre officials.
This Resource Centre must be able to certify and ultimately give certificates and diplomas to our sport officials.
Our Guyanese athletes certainly have potential and talent. However, raw talent and potentials must be harnessed and developed with knowledge that will make them worthy of selection to represent Guyana.
Guyana must produce World Class Umpires, Referees and Scorers. This eventual institution will give rise to qualitative and quantitative development in sports.
The Government of Guyana over the last decade invested heavily in the construction of World Class Sport facilities.
The Guyana National Stadium at Providence, the Aquatic Centre, the Racquet Centre, the Synthetic Track at Leonora along with the tremendous development of Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the National Gymnasium are all proud achievements.
The National Sports Resource Centre will enhance preparation for the future of sports in Guyana and ensure better performances of our athletes and officials.
Expectations are high that there will be Seminars to highlight WADA’s prohibited list – RADO, on common sports injuries and their prevention, on Sports Nutrition and on Sports Laws.
In order to develop sports clubs and associations there will be special seminars on basic sports management, community sports, along with lectures on how to manage sport events and sports tourism.
The time is now when Guyana must develop a pro-active approach to the advancement of sport. The development of our Human Resource is imperative. The Government must play the lead role in the new challenge of sport in this country.
Sports View by Neil Kumar

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