Sportsview by Neil Kumar
AS we embark on planning our work programme for the year 2010, it is imperative that we take cognisance of the fact that we must plan and prepare to fulfil the plans.

Executive Members of National Sports Associations/Federations must be more pro-active and they must have a vision and be fully focused on what they want to achieve. Today, it is most opportune when all National sports bodies in their respective discipline develop a strategic plan for the development of their specific disciplines.

Further, sport development must be looked at in short-term, medium-term and long-term development. The Olympic fraternity must focus on how, when and where they are going in order to participate and medal at the Olympic Games.

Other sport disciplines must seriously look at their developmental programme, producing elite sportsmen and sportswomen. Hence, our professional boxers must be prepared to win World titles while our cricketers must focus and let our West Indies team return to the helm of World Cricket.

For too long we are accepting ‘square pegs in round holes’ in our sports associations/federations. There are too many individuals who are allowed to fool around and enjoy themselves in one National Association and after total failure, they move on into another National Association/Federation.

Sad to note that these same failures are the people who prattle and boast and get little or nothing done. Far too much is expected from Government.

The fact is Government provides the best Cricket Stadium in the Caribbean and we have the most cricket grounds in the Caribbean and yet we are struggling to dominate regional cricket.

In Guyana we have more football grounds than any other Caribbean country yet we are way behind in the regional success list. In Boxing Government gave special incentives such as house and house lots and vehicles as incentives. Recipients in the past misused the offers and yet we are not doing as well as we should.

It is easy to call on Government for better and more facilities but it is difficult for Government to spend hard-earned taxpayers’ money to build and provide facilities and callous and irresponsible people who are elected/selected by friends and families in Executive to make little or no use of the facilities. Sometimes they even destroy the facilities.

Guyana won a Bronze at the Olympics in 1980. We won several World titles in Boxing after 1992. However, it is crystal clear that the administrators in Amateur Boxing bungled and shot themselves in their foot. However, let us wish the new executive all successes as our amateur boxers are our reservoir for professional boxing.

Cricket and Football are our two major sport disciplines.

Can the ‘doomsayers’ say what more they want from Government? As for football, Government gave out millions of dollars to several clubs across the country. Most of the money that the clubs received was not accounted for.

Football had the biggest and best incentives to develop, yet there is not that quality development. However, we must commend the Kashif and Shanghai duo for a splendid job.

Guyanese must be more objective and prepare to work for greater success in life. It cannot be denied that the PPP/C Government particularly under the stewardship of his Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo has done the most for sport in this country. Under his stewardship we have certainly achieved more than any other leader. All the World Titles that we won in boxing were achieved during his time as President. Our cricketers also excelled and our footballers also climb the highest in the World rankings.

The performance of Nicolette Fernandes and of squash players at the Regional level must have influenced Government to build two squash courts. The vastly improved swimmers must have influenced our government to build a swimming pool. Let me say that I am sure that the athletes in this country will be privileged to get a home and a synthetic track, all of this, thanks to his Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo.

Our Sports Administrators must be prepared to make maximum use of the facilities that are available. Certainly the boxing fraternity and particularly the administrators in boxing can do better. Without the Government’s lead role, several sport disciplines would have been much lower in their standard.

The rise and fall of sports depends on the people who administer the sport specifics. As we start a new decade we must resolve to achieve greater heights. We will only be successful if we harness all our synergies to get better results.

Guyana is a country where we have an abundant of talent and potential. Sports Administrators must harness them, bring them together and allow for their development. The time is most opportune when all Guyanese must work assiduously for the further development of sport in this country.