GOA champions Paralympic capacity development through GAPS programme

The Executive Committee of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has taken a bold step toward strengthening Paralympic sport in Guyana by partnering with Commonwealth Sport through its GAPS (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) training programme.

As part of this initiative, Mr Alque Stanley (Cyril Potter College of Education Lecturer) and Mrs Anjalena Veerasammy Beshpatty, advocate and founder of an education centre that focuses on needs of children with Autism, “Sameir Uniquely Me”, were selected to attend and participate in the 2025 Commonwealth Sports GAPS Americas & Caribbean Jamaica Paralympic training Camp for para-athletics development which was held from July 21–26, 2025 in Jamaica. Their participation marks a paradigm and strategic shift in the GOA’s approach to Paralympic development, focused on empowering and developing a cadre of trained personnel from within the differently-abled community, equipped to lead, coordinate and support inclusive and sustainable sporting initiatives for differently-abled persons across Guyana.
This strategy over time envisions the formation of a nucleus of key individuals, leaders, coordinators, and advocates from within the Paralympic community, who will form the backbone of Guyana’s Paralympic development efforts. By participating in the GAPS Programme, they gained the training, mentorship, and resources necessary to develop inclusive sport programs in schools, institutions, and communities, support national federations with trained resource personnel, drive participation and performance at local, regional, and international levels and coordinate efforts with Government agencies and civil society for greater reach and impact.

As part of this new direction, the Executive Committee of the Guyana Olympic Association has actively commenced engaging with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Needs Department, the Ministry of Health, the National Commission on Disability, and the Cyril Potter College of Education and other key stakeholders to foster collaborative input and secure support for a more inclusive development framework.
This effort aligns with the Executive Committee of the GOA’s commitment to fulfilling key mandates within the Olympic Charter, promotes inclusion, and supports the achievement of the Millennium Sustainable Development Goals (MSDGs). It also signals a move away from past reliance on able-bodied coaches, toward building a sustainable, community-driven ecosystem led by those with lived experience.
“The GAPS Programme offers us a rare and transformative opportunity to reset our national approach to Paralympic sport development, developing leaders who understand the challenges and can drive meaningful change by empowering voices and leaders from within the differently-abled community from which national sporting bodies can support and align with, we are promoting not just inclusivity, but authenticity and sustainability. The GOA envisions this initiative as a cornerstone in a broader national movement where para-sport becomes an integral part of Guyana’s sporting identity, offering hope, opportunity, and empowerment to all,” GOA President, Godfrey Munroe said.
The GAPS Programme, a flagship initiative of Commonwealth Sport is conducted yearly. It provides an integrated training platform to develop para-athletes, coaches, and sport administrators. The programme offers tailored resources, education, and mentorship that enhance the capabilities of participants to foster inclusion, excellence, and long-term development in their respective countries.