SPORT in Guyana will rise to new heights under the establishment of the Guyana Sports Academy, according to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr.

In his presentation at the inaugural Guyana Sports Conference at the National Cultural Centre yesterday morning, Minister Ramson pointed to the fundamental changes that would take place once the academy is fully established.

Minister Ramson said that the academy would help to generate and unearth Guyanese talent through a partnership between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and sporting associations and federations.

The idea behind the academy, which will be officially launched in the coming weeks, is to create a climate of growth and development in sport.

“Our Sports Academy is not a building, it’s a programme and it is going to change how we understand talent.”

Minister Ramson spent a large portion of his presentation on talent and the need to understand that it is more than physical attributes. He indicated that it can be nurtured through consistency and a systematic approach to learning.

He used several examples to reinforce this and indicated that Guyanese athletes need more time and better methods to achieve their goals.

CORE SPORT
Initially, the focus would be on 12 core sport, which among other variables, currently have systems in place to attract more participants. The core group include cricket, football, athletics, basketball, table tennis, swimming, hockey, squash, rugby, volleyball, tennis and badminton.

The Minister noted that the sporting disciplines could increase or change in time.

The academy itself will be set up through a tripartite structure, inclusive of a nursery, competitions/tournaments and elite training.

Minister Ramson pointed out that the nursery level would be the introduction level, which will target athletes or those with potential between the ages of 12-25. At this junction, the NSC will ensure that programmes and venues are provided.

At the tournament level, the Government of Guyana, through the NSC will provide at least 12M annually to the governing bodies of the core sport, which will help them to organise and facilitate competitions/tournaments.

Above-average performers, who excelled at these tournaments or those who show inordinate improvement, will be selected for the elite training.

The sessions will last on average four to eight weeks and will see selected individuals dedicating themselves to training. In order to achieve this, the Minister announced that a stipend would be given.

Minister Ramson said that training the elite athletes would require either the use of older or retired athletes who understands the ins and outs of the sport, or even overseas coaches.

Yesterday’s inaugural Guyana Sports Conference set the stage for the academy and allowed open and frank discussions between the stakeholders on a number of topics, including governance/responsibilities, nurturing talent and mindset, revenue, sponsorship, the media, nutrition, injuries and psychology, tournaments, elite training and international competition.