THE National Sports Commission (NSC) last weekend met with the representatives from national sport associations/federations at the National Resource Centre at Woolford Avenue as part of continued efforts to strengthen the administration of sport in Guyana.With guidance from the 1993 NSC Act, commissioners sought to inform national associations of the role of the NSC in developing sport in Guyana and to identify some of the core issues that are currently affecting the proper administration of associations.
The commissioners on the new NSC include: Ivan Persaud (chairman), Nigel Hinds (vice-chairman), Edison Jefford, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Seon Erskine, Lavern Fraser, Inga Henry, Aliann Pompey and ex-officio member, Christopher Jones.
The forum recorded an impressive turnout from associations, federations and boards. This is unique to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Guyana Hockey Board, with the NSC inviting president, general secretary, and treasurer of each of the 30 plus listed national associations.
The GCB, Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Hockey Board, Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Guyana Amateur Power-lifting Federation, Weightlifting Association, Swimming, Judo, Karate, Table Tennis, Cycling and many other associations were present.
Notably in attendance was the Guyana Olympic Association head, K. Juman-Yassin.
Director of Sport Christopher Jones opened the forum with remarks.
The associations all agreed that the allocation of funds is critical to their success; the prerequisite for associations/federations/boards to receive funding from the Commission. According to the Act they must have an elected Executive, a Bank Account and they must keep proper accounts and records.
Several of the associations have submitted their projected plan for 2016 to the Commission.
The Commission is also mandated to provide assistance to any sport organisation in the audit of its accounts or in relation to any other matter where assistance may be required. To this end, the Olympic Association is in receipt of a NSC request to assist with ‘training’ for the administrative strengthening of associations available under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity Programme.
The NSC is also tasked among its critical functions to establish Regional Sports Committees or Advisory Units and Offices in the three counties of Guyana. The members of Regional Sports Committees shall consist of not more than five members and must come from the representative county.
The Commission will be moving in this direction.
The associations posed a number of critical questions dealing with issues, progression of their various sports, some of which included the development of facilities for the training, competition and encampment of athletes as well as anti-doping legislation.