“Take Governance seriously…”

Nov 17, 2008 Sports

– Anthony urges GOA admin graduates

By Edison Jefford
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony urged graduates of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Sports Administrators’ Course yesterday to take governance of their respective sport disciplines seriously.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony (seated, centre) takes a photo opportunity with other GOA officials (seated) and the newly certified sport administrators at Olympic House yesterday.

Speaking to the newly trained batch of sport administrators, Anthony identified three key aspects that should be part of the fundamental principles of the officers. The first priority was an admonition about governance.

“As young administrators, you should take governance seriously. Strive for transparency and accountability; people must know, for instance, how athletes get select. I don’t think you have anything to hide,” Anthony stated.

In addition to the practice of good governance, the minister identified features of equity and the establishment of clear indicators of success as other characteristics that should be inherent in the nature of sport leaders.

In terms of equity, Anthony said that there must be balance at the top and at the base. He observed that administrators should seek to develop programmes to enable the input of women and people with disabilities.

According to the minister, it is time for sport associations to clearly identify their future in relation to indicators that measure success. He said that those associations can achieve surmountable success if they are dedicated.

“Nothing is impossible if you identify what you want to do,” Anthony said, while adding that there is funding available for programmes from world governing bodies but that that money has to be consistently pursued.

The field of sport medicine, community participation in sports and training of individuals to understand on–field injury of athletes were other areas of concern the minister identified for the new group of administrators.

“We must create a demand for such courses. I don’t want you to leave here with training alone. Go back to organisations and make a difference,” Anthony encouraged at the simple closing ceremony at Olympic House.

He said that learning is an ongoing process because knowledge merely has half of a life; if not upgraded, it can become redundant. The minister said that the course must continue to engage young sport enthusiasts.

The tenth annual GOA Sports Administrators’ Course started on Thursday and covered a wide range of subjects including youth in sports, drug testing, budget preparation, values and ethics in sports among many others.