National sports policy awaiting input from sports associations
Georgetown, GINA, June 15, 2016
The long awaited National Sports Policy is one step closer to completion now that consultations have been held with various sports associations across Guyana.
Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that sports associations across Guyana were given a draft policy document which they would review and make their input.
“We would have shared with them a draft sports policy document and with a view of the associations and the federations brining submissions to us to update that sports policy document,” Jones elaborated.
According to jones, once the associations make their submissions, the sports policy could soon come into existence.
Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, on addressing the sports associations last Saturday, noted that the policy could be the tool that strengthens sports in Guyana.
“I believe that this is something that requires the undivided attention of highly skilled and technical persons who can take the lead on developing that strategic plan,” Henry stated.
However, the Minister pointed out that in developing the sports policy, all objectives need to be well thought out. “We have to have objectives that are in keeping with where we are as a country. We know that we do not have the infrastructure nor the resources like the developed world and therefore the policy must take that into account,” she explained.
According to the Minister, the crafting of a solid sports policy would require everyone working together. “I believed that all of us who have responsibility, particularly those closer to the athletes and to the actually sports here in Guyana and, that would be you who manage the federations and associations, to come together collectively and let us use the opportunity to collaborate,” Minister Henry told representatives of the sports associations..
Henry pointed out that the crafting of the policy grabbed the attention of the international sporting community who offered to lend their expertise.
Once the policy is completed, it would essentially monitor the course of sports for the next 15 years.