GCF, Archery Guyana welcome $6B budget allocation for sport

– say budget gives federations certainty to invest responsibly in athletes

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) applauds the Government’s $6B budgetary allocation toward national sports development and sees it as a significant investment which reflects a sustained commitment to a sector that has seen remarkable growth in recent years.
The GCF in a statement on Thursday stated that “By prioritising the development and administration of sports, expanding local and international participation, and decentralising training programmes, this budget aligns perfectly with the goal of providing every Guyanese citizen equal access to athletic opportunities.”
The GCF views this budget as a clear realisation of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision to regionalise sports access across Guyana. For the Federation, 2026 marks a transformative milestone with the scheduled completion of a dedicated facility and the acquisition of a team bus.

The new building will provide the Federation with a much-needed home for competitive play, high-level training, and casual engagement. This venue addresses a critical need, as securing consistent space has become increasingly difficult with the rising number of players.
The acquisition of a dedicated vehicle will be a catalyst for growth, enabling the GCF to mobilise coaches and equipment to outlying regions, bringing formal training and competitive opportunities directly to aspiring players.
In a recent meeting with National Sports Commission (NSC) officials, the GCF outlined key areas for strategic assistance. The NSC has readily pledged its support, and the GCF looks forward to this partnership to elevate Guyanese chess to new heights in the coming year.
Meanwhile, the president of the National Federation, Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, has also commended the Government’s vision, balance and strategic foresight reflected in Budget 2026, particularly as it relates to the advancement of sport and athlete development.

He added that the budget represents a calculated and necessary evolution, moving beyond heavy capital expenditure toward sustained investment in athletes, coaching, technical development and federation support.
“We commend Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh for presenting a budget that clearly understands sport as both a social good and a strategic national investment,” Persaud-McKinnon said. “This sports allocation is not a retreat but a refinement, one that prioritises people, performance and long-term impact.”
For Archery Guyana, she added that this policy direction has already translated into tangible, practical support.
With the backing of Ministers Charles Ramson Jr and Stephen Jacobs, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, the federation has secured critical institutional and logistical support to host two landmark events: the 2026 Caribbean Development Archery Championships and the first Caribbean Archery Games.
Both events will be hosted right here in Guyana at the National Stadium, Providence, from October 21–26, 2026, positioning Guyana at the centre of regional archery development.
“The support rendered to date, facility access, administrative coordination, and policy alignment are exactly what was envisaged in the Federation’s agenda and reflected in Budget 2026,” Persaud-McKinnon noted.
“This is how budgets should work: turning policy into performance.” Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle has described the 2026 allocation as an exciting time for sport, and this has been reiterated by Archery Guyana. “This budget gives federations the certainty to invest responsibly in athletes, officials and governance,” Persaud-McKinnon said.
Building on strong regional performances and growing institutional support, Archery Guyana
will represent the country at several regional and international competitions in 2026. “Budget 2026 sends a powerful message that Guyana believes in its athletes,” Persaud-McKinnon concluded.