Int’l Automobile Federation boss talks, local motor racing, road safety with President Ramotar

Georgetown, GINA, August 9, 2013

Close to one year after Guyana became an official member of the Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile (FIA) incumbent president of that reputable association Jean Todt, during his first visit to Guyana, paid a courtesy call on the Guyanese Head of State.

The Head of the Association that governs many professional auto racing events met the Guyanese Head of State in the company of a team that included the Association’s Vice President Jose Abed.

President of the Federation of Internationale de l’ Automobile (FIA) Jean Todt greets President Donald Ramotar in the presence of Vice President Jose Abed and Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club official Vishok Persaud

Also present were Vice-President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) Mahendra Boodhoo and member Vishok Persaud.

Guyana becoming a member of the FIA General Assembly last December and hosting regular tournaments at the South Dakota circuit promoting motor sport locally, formed part of the talks between Todt and President Ramotar.

 

They explored ideas of organising events with the aim of boosting tourism within the country.

President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony with President of the Federation of Internationale de l’ Automobile (FIA) Jean Todt and Vice President Jose Abed.

The working visit of the FIA President included talks with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the GMRSC. His two-day engagement will also include talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on supporting road safety initiatives.

 

“You have 1.3 million people who die on the roads every year; you have 50 million people who are injured. In a little country like Guyana you have 120 people who die on the road every year… and the President (Ramotar) was very interested to hear about our programme and very much willing to put road safety amongst the priorities of the country for the coming years,” Todt said during an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA).

President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony in talks with President of the Federation of International de l’ Automobile (FIA) Jean Todt and team

In 2011, the FIA launched its Action for Road Safety in support of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action for road safety; an initiative aimed at lowering deaths associated with road accidents.

 

The FIA is represented in 140 countries with a few support and mobility organisations and is a licencing and arbitration body of Formula One and World Rally Championship motor racing.