By Neil Kumar

All Guyanese welcome home our CARIFTA games athletes. It cannot be denied that athletics/running is the oldest sporting event.

However, in English speaking Caribbean, powerhouse Jamaica is the true Champion. Guyana, with world class facilities and equipment is now moving up the ladder. At the completion of the 51st CARIFTA games, Guyana was in fourth position on the medals table.

Sport is the most attractive business in the world today. It is the purest and most powerful project that we can embark on. In Guyana we did not benefit from World Class Sport Facilities from our colonial masters. However, it was the PPP/C Government that recognised the significance of Sport in the development of our people and country.

The initiative of Bharrat Jagdeo as Finance Minister certainly kick-started the development of sport facilities in Guyana. It is due to his tremendous efforts and genuine interest in sport that enabled this country to develop our sport infrastructure around the country.

Today, we can celebrate the fact that our young population has access to a world Class Athletics Track at Leonora which is fully equipped with all the necessary requirements for Track and Field events. Further, it is most heartening to know that our citizens in Upper-Demerara/Linden are now the beneficiaries of a modern Athletics track.

Further, our citizens in Berbice/Region Five and Six will soon have access to a world class facility at New Amsterdam.

These massive investments will certainly give rise to more well-trained and equipped athletes participating in sports. As a result, and we will have a higher level of local competitions which will lead to better performances on the international stage.

Our sportsmen and sportswomen are benefitting greatly from the tremendous assistance offered by our government. Better and world-class facilities, international equipment, international exposure and coaching, mental and physical preparedness training are all vital resources that are now available to our athletes.

Sports, preparation from the cradle to the grave are now available to our sport personalities. The Sport Resource Centre at Woolford Avenue must now be fully operable, as coaching and training in all aspects of sport development must help to strengthen our sport development programme.

Our club structure must be more organised and we must have nurseries at all clubs. We must have competitive sports at an early age.

Our children must be exposed to a variety of sport disciplines so they can develop a positive attitude towards sports and then genuine interest will be seen in specific disciplines.
As the very young develop the interest in a particular sport discipline, the coaches and trainers will follow up with the appropriate guidance to produce great athletes.

All eyes are now on Tianna Springer, Athaleyha Hinskson, Malachi Austin, Narrisa McPherson, Nelson Gill and Kaidon Persaud. However, we need to bring back the competitive county and country games. The early exposure along with competitive training will give rise to champions.

Sport is a must; it transcends all hindrances to the unity of our people. We must remember, an active nation is a healthy nation and a healthy nation is a wealthy nation!

The realisation of President Ali’s vision of One Guyana will certainly be hastened and strengthened by our success in sports.