THE 2016 Olympic Games are presently being hosted in neighbouring Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This much-anticipated event is seen as the pinnacle of athletic achievement for all athletes of all kinds around the world, and the influencing of national pride.It highlights the work Guyana must embark on where this nation has a team in Brazil equally competing for the medals. Our athletes deserve all our support; they would readily admit to the Herculean sacrifices they make to reach to this level, and the less-than-complementary support given by this society to see them succeed. This is not to say that persons have not received support, financial and otherwise, but it seeks to make a point that the society needs to do more — much, much more — to ensure Guyana’s competitive advantage among the world’s best.

Though larger in size, Guyana is smaller than Jamaica in terms of population; and Guyana views sports as recreation, whereas Jamaica — the most outstanding Third World country in the Olympics, a coveted position it has held for years — sees sports as an international means of aspiration for distinguishing self and country.

Jamaica even outperforms the USA, for example, a country that is 300 times larger in population, thousands of times larger in landmass, and is highly respected as a fierce competitor; and this says something about the competing and wining nature of Jamaicans, and investment in the people by state and non-state actors.

People by nature love winners, and would root for those they think are on the winning team by calling their names and honouring the flag under which they are competing. It is not unfair to say that many Guyanese do not know that Guyana has sent a team to the Olympics, the names of the persons on that team, and in what disciplines they are competing. At the same time, many Guyanese have come to know by name the athletes from other countries; and support, defend and root for them, including displaying with authority the knowledge of their records and accomplishments. Such ability is not only prevalent among fellow athletes and sports enthusiasts, but also among those least interested in sports.

And whereas Guyanese should not be faulted for a human tendency, Government and corporate entities should not ignore the desire of many Guyanese to venture into this arena.

To Guyana’s credit, the situation has not always been this way; but where dis-investment in this aspect of our human growth and development has taken place, those deserve being reversed, and it is not too late to redeem the situation. Our sportsmen and women deserve our time, commitment, and investment. Where other societies have invested in their sports persons from a tender age to the day of competing and winning, Guyana can learn from those societies; and, where necessary, adopt best practices.

It is not unusual to see education and other scholarship opportunities being offered in some societies, both by government and corporate entities, as incentives and aid to the athletes’ holistic wellbeing. From the standpoint of the athlete, employment and economic opportunities are created by performing in the area of discipline and receiving contracts with merchandising companies.

Referencing these realities does not ignore sponsorship of some sports by local corporate entities, which are hereby encouraged to elevate their investment to the scale of recognizing the need for early identification and pursuit of interests; harnessing and developing same; increasing the pool of participants; and, where possible, giving exposure to the diversity of the games.

As Guyanese continue to follow the Olympics, and as our athletes flying the Golden Arrowhead in Brazil are applauded and earn support during and after the games, it is fair to say that people desire to see Guyana again being placed on the map in terms of the Olympics. The first and only time this has happened was when bantamweight boxer Michael Parris won the bronze medal at the Moscow Olympics on 6th August, 1980 by defeating Mexican Daniel Zaragoza. On his return to Guyana, he was accorded a hero’s welcome by the Government and citizens, who showed appreciation for his accomplishment, which distinguished the country.

When a country wins or is dominant and competitive in a world arena, national pride/nationalism is boosted and, as in the instance of Jamaica, the world is given a second look at its potential.