- Focus to ‘Build Capacity across the Sports Ecosystem in Guyana’
THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has announced a sport development seminar series to be conducted on July 30-31, 2026, with Deakin University of Australia, which seeks to provide cutting-edge training, insights and tools to help elevate the development of sports capacity in Guyana.
The event will be open to sports federations, students and related industry professionals from across Guyana.
The workshop will be delivered in association with Deakin University’s Department of Sports Management, home to the number two ranked Sports Management Masters degree globally.
It is facilitated and supported by the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, Guyana’s premier international sporting event.
Minister Charles Ramson said, “One of our core objectives at the Ministry is building capacity across the sports sector by connecting governance, workforce development and event leveraging into an integrated understanding of sports administration. By examining sports ecosystem models and case studies from around the world, the workshop will provide an opportunity for us to apply best practices in sports management with a bespoke model.
Sports development today is far bigger than just athlete performance, and to achieve the national objective of a premier destination for world-class events and expanded opportunities in sports it requires a big-picture thinking at all levels.”
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, also commented, “This initiative forms part of the construction of a stronger sports ecosystem in Guyana, one that facilitates talent development for athletes and administrators alike. By investing in knowledge, governance and practical capacity building, we are creating the conditions for better performance, stronger organisations and an end result that benefits Guyana as a whole. Sport must be seen not only as competition, but as a pathway for discipline, opportunity, national pride and long-term development.”
Professor Pamm Phillips of Deakin University is an internationally recognised scholar and leader in sports management, bringing more than 25 years of academic and professional experience spanning Australia, the United States, and Asia.
She underscored the importance of the forum for Guyana.
“This workshop is designed to support Guyana in thinking strategically about the future of sport development by examining how effective sport ecosystems are designed, governed and sustained internationally. Through global case studies and practical discussion, participants will explore how Guyana can make informed decisions about building a sport system that reflects its own national priorities, communities and long-term aspirations.”
GSL Chairman Sir Clive Lloyd hailed the increased focus on sports development in the country, saying, “I am very proud to call myself Guyanese and equally proud for GSL to be playing a role in the upliftment of our sporting knowledge base and opportunities for growth in our great country. GSL is a proudly Guyanese event that seeks to engage the world and celebrate our wonderful country, both its heritage and its bright future. The latest GSL campaign celebrates the “Super We.”: our greatest strength which is our people. This workshop I hope provides our sporting people some tools for expansion and excellence.”
Deakin’s Exercise and Sport Science programmes in the Faculty of Health also continue to set the international benchmark, with Deakin’s sport science school ranked number one in the world.
The University’s leadership in this field reflects its strong focus on innovation, high- performance sport, health, and applied research that delivers real-world impact.
Complementing these strengths are Deakin’s Sport Media and Journalism programmes in the Faculty of Arts and Education, which prepare students for careers in sports broadcasting, digital media, communications and storytelling across the rapidly evolving global sports landscape.
Deakin’s commitment to student success extends beyond academic rankings.
The University is ranked the number one Victorian university for course satisfaction, graduate employment, and facilities and resources, reinforcing its reputation as a destination of choice for students seeking industry-connected learning and outstanding graduate outcomes.
