Sportsview by Neil Kumar
THE sports fraternity in Guyana must be delighted to know that we now have a National Sports Policy.
After several years of drafting, consultations and thorough discussions with Guyanese of all strata, we finally have a document to work with.  Significantly, this policy is pro-active and it is more developmental.  Further, the three-day workshop that was conducted by the Canadian consultant Dr. Collin Higgs was a huge success as the evaluation revealed how motivated the quality Stakeholders were by his presentation.
The National Sports Policy – Five Years Immediate Development Plan is action-oriented.  Certainly not everything can be achieved in the immediate five years.  However, the basis for a sound and successful system to be put in place will be the pillars for the further and rapid development of sport in Guyana.
There is nothing that is purely specific to a particular sport discipline. This Policy is about a system for development.  Hence, out of this Policy, this format, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will be working with National Sports Associations/Federations to enable them to develop their respective Long Term Developmental Plans (LTDP).

Five Components:

The Sports Policy consists of five significant components. In Guyana genuine efforts must be put in place to enhance Participation.  Our people must be fully engaged in sport throughout their lives for a better and healthier lifestyle and greater social benefits.
Secondly, we must enhance Excellence.  Our sportsmen/sportswomen must produce better results.  We must get better results from our athletes, coaches and officials.  The enhancement of Social Development through sport must be of utmost importance.  Our people must use sport to reduce social conflicts, tackle the issues of social exclusion, anti-social activity and distractive personal behaviours.
The fourth component is to enhance Capacity: More and better trained human resources and greater access to sport facilities and equipment. The fifth is the enhancement of Delivery. In Guyana we need better collaboration, more partnership, more efficient operators and certainly greater accountability.

Workshop
The three-day workshop was very open and the classroom seminar on the first two days was indeed action-oriented and most stimulating.
Day three was very informative. Special groups with special interest were given an opportunity of a lifetime to have a one-on-one discussion with the experienced Consultant Dr Collin Higgs.
Representatives from several sports disciplines took the opportunity to discuss sports specifics.  It was most encouraging to listen to the ‘frankness’ that took place during the meetings.
Dr Higgs was quick to give his expert advice and at the same time caution his people about development.
Significantly there were many other highly rated sports personalities who took the seminar seriously.
This is certainly a huge stride for the development of sport in this country.  With all our synergies, Guyana is on its way to greater success in the World of Sport.

Development is a Process

Development is a process. Coaches, organisers, and talent scouts must be able to recognise talent and potential.
It is imperative that we recognise that in today’s highly scientific world, raw talent and potential is not enough.
We must recognise that education, knowledge, physical and mental toughness are very necessary to get to the top.  First of all, sportsmen/sportswomen must know the rules of the game. Their minds and bodies must be fully focused and they must be able to read the game that they are playing at all the stages. Even before you get into the game, it is compulsory for you to know your opponents and the turf. Further, sportsmen/sportswomen must be fully cognisant of the environment that they are playing.
The development process must include all the levels of development that will lead to the gold medal. Even after winning, the athletes must know how to be humble and appreciate winning with a smile and not expletives.
The bottom line of this process clearly indicates that we must have quality physical education and sport experiences available and accessible to every schoolchild in our country. Sport must be recognised as a fundamental building block for our people’s health and communities must use it to enhance physical health, mental toughness and social inclusion. Guyanese must have greater opportunities to live a quality life through their life-long engagement in quality sport opportunities at all levels.
Today, it is imperative that sport must be valued by the decision-makers along with our community leaders for the positive contribution it makes to the life and health of the country.