By Neil Kumar

IT cannot be denied that sport is important for the development of our country. However, we must acknowledge the fact that there are far too many sport administrators sporting with sport in Guyana.

Recently I read an editorial criticising the development of sport and national sport associations/federations in Guyana. The writer did not fail to include some vicious vitriol against the government.

I am certain that the writer of that editorial is fully aware of the PPP/C government’s tremendous and continuous investment in the development of sport in Guyana. Further, the attempt to castigate and brutally criticise the government is extremely biased and will not help in any way with the development of sport in our country.
The government cannot and does not involve itself in the day-to-day operations of the national associations. However, these associations must be held accountable to the people of Guyana. As such, the media must demand accountability from all national sport associations.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is a national sport association that is affiliated with a very powerful international federation. Yet, the GFF has been involved in some questionable situations over the last few years.

The media, should call on the GFF to explain what is happening to the Gold Project. Millions of dollars were and continue to be squandered. What happened to the FIFA sponsored project in Parika? Again, what is happening to the project at Providence?
The PPP/C had rolled out a project whereby 40 football clubs around the country were given $500,000 each for the development of the club structure, and all the money was frittered away.

No other sport discipline received PPP/C financial support like football. We could write a book about the travesty and the performance of the different cliques.
Sport received the largest financial investment under Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s Presidency. It was his vision and direct intervention that enabled us to have the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, the World class Aquatic Centre, the Synthetic Track at Leonora, the Racquet Centre and the Sport Resource Centre.
The Forbes Burnham described “barn” for a sport hall was transformed into a truly international indoor multi-sport facility. We continue to see similar support and development of sport under Dr. Irfaan Ali’s Presidency.

President Ali’s robust intervention in the development of sport is most welcome. The development of the many elegant sport facilities around the country will lead to genuine development of sport and the emergence of sport tourism as a major economic force in Guyana. Sport tourism is becoming a reality in Guyana as we all eagerly anticipate the 2024 Cricket Carnival.

Guyana must raise our international sport profile. All national sport associations must be accountable to our people. Accountability and transparency must be enforced and statutory Annual General Meetings must be held in a timely manner.

This nation must be aware of the sport programmes of every national sport association. I challenge our media to lead the charge against all the cliques who are sporting with sport in Guyana.