ACCORDING the APNU+AFC manifesto, the sports sector is set for massive improvement as Guyana welcomes its new government under the Presidency of (Rtd) Brigadier David Granger.
The sports fraternity will be keeping a close eye on the new administration, hoping that they deliver as promised on their manifesto. “An annual subvention for each National Sports Association or Federation will be provided to support the participation of national athletes in Caribbean Championship events,” the coalition said in their manifesto as it outlined their vision for the sector.
Under the former PPP/C government, Guyanese athletes and the various federations were crying ‘foul’, noting that there was much more that they (PPP/C) could have done during their 23 years in office.
While the now opposition boasts of building Guyana’s first synthetic facility and the aquatic centre along with the country’s lone internationally recognised cricket stadium, many are of the opinion the most important assets – the athletes – were neglected.
According to the APNU+AFC government, all sports in schools must be coordinated and supported by the Ministry of Sport and the Guyana Teachers Union and school sports should not be limited to just athletics but should be broadly extended to include a variety of sports and related disciplines.
The government say that they intend to support all sport disciplines and participation in regional and international competitions/championships and that each sport discipline played in Guyana and the respective national teams are, in principle, eligible for representation at the respective events at Caribbean Championships.
Both men’s and women’s teams will have guaranteed funding for travel and accommodation to attend various Caribbean Championships since to represent our country at such events is the ultimate achievement in sports for an athlete.
The government pointed out that their intention is to build on the successes of rugby, cricket, football, basketball, track and field, and other sport disciplines with access to direct funding, and to enable Guyana’s sportsmen and sportswomen to participate regularly in international competitions.
Though the aforementioned changes in the sector are not listed in the government’s 100-day plans upon taking office, local athletes are being guaranteed of a complete overhaul of the sector since they (the APNU+AFC) are equipped with the qualified personnel to do so.

By Rawle Toney