GTTA, GSA in support of 2024 sport budget allocation

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) are the latest associations to come out in support of sport’s $4.6 billion National Budget for 2024.
The budget allocation was announced by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday last in the National Assembly.
GTTA President Godfrey Munroe shared, “As President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), I wish to say that Budget 2024 is unprecedented and a step in the right direction for the sector. I, therefore, wish to applaud the Government, the Hon. Minister Mr Charles Ramson Jr, the Director of Sports Mr Steve Ninvalle, the Commissioners of the [National Sports Commission] NSC and their team for their vision, leadership and in taking on board the aspirations of national athletes, associations, Coaches, and administrators and the sector as a whole.
“While the nation and Government has priorities in the other sectors.

“Budget 2024 has again demonstrated the Government of Guyana’s commitment and plan to placing sport on a higher priority and trajectory, by progressively allocating more resources and in investing and building the key pillars necessary for advancing the prospects for our future sporting success as a nation.
“It’s a caring and direct response to the demands and engagement of actors in the sector, premised on an unprecedented and new approach of constant engagement with national federations and associations by the Hon Minister, by you in your capacity as Director of Sports and the National Sports Commission geared at ensuring strategic direction and planning becomes part of the culture of operation, establishing and identifying areas of support and collaboration, the platform for the resolution of challenges, finding solutions and identifying areas for synergies among other areas of benefit; all become enshrined.”
On the other hand, the GSA articulated, “The Guyana Squash Association was thrilled to see the unprecedented $4.6 billion allocation to sports in the 2024 Budget. The commitment to allocate the highest-ever funds reflects a profound understanding of the significance of sports in the health and socialisation of our youth, and the pivotal role it plays in fostering national pride and unity.
“The increased funding opens doors for talent development programmes, grassroots initiatives, and elite training opportunities, ensuring that young athletes from all backgrounds have a fair chance to excel. In addition, the inclusion of duty-free access for sporting equipment will facilitate easier access to quality gear for athletes nationwide. This progressive step will undoubtedly enhance training facilities for many of the sports in Guyana; hopefully allowing wider access to more potential athletes.
“In essence, the elevated sports budget brings in a new era of athletic excellence and national pride. It symbolises a commitment to the holistic development of our youth and sets the stage for a thriving sports culture that goes beyond individual successes, contributing significantly to the overall growth of sports in our country. The GSA looks forward to continuing to build on the strong relationships we have with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport and other governing sport associations to move squash and other sports forward into the international arenas.”