We stand at the start of 2018 in the same position we started 2017; a nation with potential and promise in sport, yet we still find ourselves searching for our next Olympic medallist. It’s a queer position to be in when reflecting on the successes as a nation over the last 18 months.
Athletics showcased a large pool of talent at the junior level, so did boxing and for the first time in 13 years the junior squash team did not cop the Caribbean title, finishing second, but it was not for the lack of effort.
Guyana Jaguars continued their dominance in Regional Four-day cricket and prior to that the Under-16 basketball team won silver in 2016.
We can talk about the potential of our table tennis players from their performances in 2017 and even the fact that the hockey teams qualified for the Central American and Caribbean Championships. Limitless potential I would say, but the question still remains as it has for years, where do we go from here?
Do we continue the regular trend; just sponsoring teams whenever associations have an event to go to or host or is infrastructure all that successive governments believe is needed for sport development?
While I understand that associations should have their houses in order and provide plans for the government to fund, isn’t it the government’s mandate to provide guidelines for associations to follow as well?
The lack of a Sports Policy has continued to be part of the reason sport in Guyana remains as just potential.
A Sports Policy can outline not just funding of associations, but also indicate programmes associations can use to develop their athletes, rewards for athletes who perform well at regional and international meets as well as pointing athletes in the right direction with regard to health care.
A prime example of a non-existent Sports Policy affecting potential is our rugby team that has for years dominated on the regional level, but for the first time in a long while they lost the Sevens title and the worst part is the team is not getting any younger.
A Sports Policy would mandate the Guyana Rugby Football Union to be on the ball with plans to not just keep developing the potential of the team, but to also groom a nursery for the sport.
The time for talk is over and the Minister with Responsibility for Sport Dr. George Norton needs to ensure that a Sports Policy is composed in an effort to maximise the potential Guyana has in the sports arena.
Simply put, the ball is in your hands Dr. Norton and time is of the essence; don’t let the clock run out without taking a shot.
