Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 05, 2015 Sports
By Rawle Welch
Not much information is usually divulged about the deeds of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) so many of us as reporters have had little to say about the entity’s interaction and support for sports, but over the past three years there has been a noticeable shift in the policy and focus of the institution that needs to be highlighted.
The GOA has undisputedly made a much greater effort to advance the development of sports in Guyana and this encouraging mission should not escape the attention of local journalists in their review about the last year’s performance among sporting entities.
The year 2014 was a period which saw the GOA through the munificence of Olympic Solidarity extend its financial reach to quite a few disciplines to get them to regional and international competitions and this support symbolized an extension on the path it began to take almost three years ago.
In confining the support to three years ago is not an attempt to say that in previous years the GOA had not offered similar assistance to teams and athletes, but rather this period represents a time when the entity took up the challenge to lead in the absence of tangible support from the Ministry of Sport (MoS) and by extension the Government for our national teams.
President K.A Juman Yassin leads a Council that is made up predominantly of former Sportsmen and women from different disciplines who could attest to the significance of real support, so decisions made appears to be in the best interest of teams and athletes.
This current Council has performed outstandingly and hopefully this year the general sports landscape will witness the GOA further its mandate.
Facing the challenge to complete the construction of its own home, the GOA still managed to sensibly spread its finance to a few national teams and the move has paid off.
Just to name a few, through its support, rugby was able to create history by winning both the NACRA 7’s and 15’s titles in the same year, hockey also enjoyed very good results at international and regional competitions, while Squash, Table Tennis, boxing, athletics, basketball, badminton, netball and weightlifting, also received tangible support from the GOA.
To add to its financial goodwill, the entity was also instrumental in procuring the services of the requisite expertise for some disciplines, while local coaches and administrators in addition were afforded opportunities to enhance their technical and management proficiencies respectively.
You now see larger contingents of teams and athletes heading off to competitions with the GOA often times leading the way in the financial support column and while the view of many is for the MoS to take that mantle, the latter’s posture has not been encouraging at all.
Yassin speaking at the GOA’s Annual interaction with the media last year had cause to urge the Ministry of Sport and the Government to do more for the promotion and development of Sport, but apart from some isolated instances, his call has been largely ignored.
However, the GOA Head from his pronouncements appears not to be too inclined to wait on those who continue to be finicky with their support.
The early forecast is that 2015 is going to be a good year for our Sportsmen and women and with Rio 2016 Olympics just around the corner, even more money will be needed to allow our athletes the best possible preparations to qualify for the biggest multi-sport event on Earth.
Those who’ve been unforthcoming in the past will be put to the test; it will be interesting to see whether they follow the footsteps of the GOA.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
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