President Dr. Irfaan Ali strikes a pose with several boxers, some of whom are expected to be part of the mentorship programme (Photo: Office of the President)
To create jobs for national athletes and further develop sport in schools, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced the Government will create a training programme where national athletes will be employed as mentors and coaches in schools.
“We want them [national athletes] to work in the school system so they can help our young people to be more attracted to sports and having capable persons training them,” President Ali stated in a recent interview.
According to the President, “Sport is the lowest hanging fruit in the story of transformation because once you can actively involve persons in sports, automatically, you are dealing with many societal issues.”
“It is these what people call the softer aspects of development that I think are hardcore aspects of development…and you will see even more investments coming in sports because it has that potential of transitioning negative energy into positive energy,” President Ali further elaborated.
– President Dr. Irfaan Ali is keen on the continued development of sport facilities in Guyana (Photo: Office of the President)
From the fundamentals of sport, Ali is optimistic it can promote nation-building by bringing people together and building community spirit.
Those fruits of a flourishing sport sector are what the President believes cannot have a monetary value ascribed to it, given its multifaceted impact on the ecosystem of development.
Ali noted that the investment allows young people to realise their dreams by knowing they will have the necessary facilities to enhance their skills.
“We want to send persons to train overseas to enhance their skills, and also, there are numerous universities doing talent spotting as our athletes are emerging into the market, and that is because of the investments we are making.”
Noting that the hinterland has enormous potential, President Ali further alluded to the investment in every region “to give our children across the country an opportunity to be part of the revolution in sport.”
In 2023, the government invested G$4.3 billion into the sector, an increase from G$2.2 billion in 2022. $250 million was budgeted to continue improving community grounds nationwide.
In August, the National Assembly approved an additional G$500 million to facilitate more infrastructural works through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s ground enhancement programme.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other government officials listen to athletes at his office (Photo: Office of the President)
Access to equipment
Questioned on what lies ahead for sport, the President indicated the government aims to make sport equipment more accessible, whether from a tax perspective or incentives.
“You can see us making it [equipment] more affordable and accessible, and you may very well see adjustments in taxes in relation to that.”
Ultimately, President Ali is looking to develop Guyana as the premier destination for entertainment and sport tourism in the region.
