Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 29, 2016 Sports
Samuel Whyte
Horse owners in Guyana have said that they have had enough of promises and talk
from the Government in trying to put systems in place to improve the sport. They said that they know that the Government has taken over a run down and almost none existent system, but the time for excuses are over.
According to the owners, they would have thought that the Government would have done some work over time, especially in terms of regularizing the system. However, nothing has been done so far despite promises from high ranking officials including Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones.
Speaking with the media recently, prominent Horse Owner, Breeder and Trainer Colin Elcock informed that the situation as it now stands is appalling. He noted that a number of others are only continuing to race for the love of the sport.
Elcock said that he understands that the previous government had no interest in having any organised activity done but cannot understand the present Government taking the same stance. “They are only promising, but nothing doing,” he noted.
HE believes that the government is taking too long to act and is of the view that they [government] has to step in at Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) as a launching pad, take charge and move the process from there.
He said that PMTC was left by the British Government for the people of Guyana through GUYSUCO to be used as a recreational park, not to be controlled by a few. “Right now is just a wild west going on and things are getting worst every day.”
The horserace magnate said that horseracing is a nice sport and has a large following, but if there are no changes or improvements by mid next year, he would be out of racing because it doesn’t make since.
“Even if you have the long awaited legislation in place, you have to have a track where you can use to set the standard and that is where PMTC comes in. You must have rules and standards for anything. Right now there are no rules, no standards and instead of the game getting better it is getting worst.”
“Right now there is no horse racing being held in Guyana, only Gymkhana. There are no proper rules, no proper classification. All the clubs and promoters have their own classifications to suit themselves and one day you will get something really bad happening or something. At every race people keep quarreling about classification and a whole set of nonsense and if things continue the way they are, persons could be harmed.”
“Could you imagine Yankee Horses racing in H class, three-year-old horses racing in L class? How could that be? And the government collecting money – (taxes at race meet) from something that is haywire, unregulated. What nonsense is that?”
“Right now this new Government has too much to think about, all they have to do is put a board or committee in place, work through GUYSUCO with representatives from various organisations with vested interest. I have a letter right now how the board could be made up. The government is acting slowly and the entire thing is falling apart.”
Elcock said that the government could do its part financially, but by and large they are not asking the government for money, but persons could get on board as shareholders.
“Port Mourant right now is like a pasture and a few persons are acting like Land Lords, only collecting money after every event.”
HE cited the recent horserace meet that was held at that venue where more than half of the persons who participated were not paid. Elcock who was in company with Veterinarian Dr Dwight Waldron and PMTC Secretary Ramnauth among others when he spoke with the media, said that if there were regulations in place, the organisers would have been in serious problems.
The time for talk is over and the time for action is now.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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