ADDRESSING awardees and other invitees gathered for the 2009 Sports Award presentation ceremony on Friday evening, President Bharrat Jagdeo called on sportsmen and sportswomen to be pioneers for development. Speaking at the event at the National Cultural Centre the Head of State said the task ahead will set aside Guyanese sports figures from those in the rest of the world.

“In many parts of the world those sportsmen and sportswomen are more inclined to commercial success because commercial success means a better life and ours should be no different. But in addition to commercial success you have an additional task to make a contribution to this society,” President Jagdeo said.

The Head of State spoke of a Guyana that flourishes with the creation of opportunities for its people noting that sports figures can help in this accomplishment as much as the obligation rests on politicians and the business community.
Among the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the sportsman award to West Indies cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan and sportswoman award to Nicolette Fernandes who was represented by her mother Luana Fernandes.

The Disability award went to Walter Grant-Stuart while the Guyana Rugby Football Union copped the Sports Association Award.

Trophies were also given to best sports journalist, male and female sports personality and junior sportsman and sportswoman.

While extending congratulations to the awardees, the President said that Guyana is also looking to sports athletes to help the country achieve its transformative agenda.

The important role which sports journalists have been playing in sports across Guyana was also acknowledged by President Jagdeo who humorously remarked that this category of media personnel are distinct from the other sections which are often more interested in morbidity and negativity.

Rawle Toney received the Sports Journalist award for the Print media.

“I think that the sports journalists have done an excellent job. In fact many of them sell the newspapers because many people only read their (sports) articles and we are very pleased that many of them are honoured here,” President Jagdeo said.

The hard work, discipline, commitment and other attributes which are required for a good athlete are considered by the President as universal lessons which, if applied to nation-building, will develop Guyana.

Over the years local sportsmen and women have carved their name in the Caribbean Region and the rest of the world in various disciplines and according to President Jagdeo they managed to do so when the environment in Guyana was often not ideal.
Recalling the difficult period, the Head of State said the nation started in turmoil which was fostered by overseas influences that hindered the country for many subsequent years in the post-independence period.

As a result, the President said more than a generation of development was lost and the impact was also felt on sports. He said, however, circumstances are changing for the better.