I attended the Guyana Football Federation campaign launch for World Cup 2014. On Saturday at the Princess Hotel, this public promotion of our Golden Jaguars football team must be highly commended, and the President (ag) Mr Franklyn Wilson) applauded for organising such an excellent event.
As a football enthusiast, I also applaud the sponsor, Ansal Mcal, Caribbean Airlines, Demerara Distillers Limited, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Bakewell and Humprey’s Bakery for their generosity.
My comment is based on the remarks made by the Honourable Minister, Dr Frank Anthony. He reminded us that, sports can be a useful tool for national cohesion, as he appealed to all concerned to pool their resources.
The minister also called upon the media to help, but what old folks used to say was, ‘wa mouth na load,’ meaning it is not what you say, but what is done.
I make the following suggestions: for starters, let the minister press the Cabinet to allow all television channels to cover from the Corentyne to the North West to the Rupununi.
Secondly, that many of the public open spaces be developed in urban and rural areas, so that there are lots of open spaces for our young boys and girls to play soccer and other activities.
Fortunately, with some coaching and being given the basic rudiments and rules of the game, youngsters could be involved in football in any open space even without goal posts.
Thirdly, a structured programme with assistance from the Guyana Football Federation and various local authorities,including the Ministry of Education, should be put in place, so we have kids playing football from kindergarten up.
All this, of course, will require some financial outlay to prepare the grounds, but at this time, finances from the government ought not to be a problem.
What is needed is the will and the commitment to help a sporting discipline which is in Guyana’s interest. It could be a useful outlet for the ordinary, and in some cases, the underprivileged children in every community.
In most countries, the lottery funds are allocated to sports and culture. This is what we want to hear our lottery funds being used for.
Secondly, that the government should stop NICIL from disposing of lands and property which can or ought to be reserved for use by several communities for the enjoyment, relaxation and promotion of sports.
The unnecessary subsidy of millions given to NICIL could be better utilised for the preparation and maintenance of public open spaces (play grounds) through respective community groups and municipalities.
The coach Mr. Shabaz who spoke, hinted to the need to remove petty politics from sports.
If we are serious, I am sure the opposition would support any move provided funds are managed by independent, honest and credible individuals and groups to see more put into football and other sporting and cultural activities.