Minister Charles Ramson Jr hoping to reorganise sport in Guyana

Probed about the state of Sport in Guyana just minutes after his appointment as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, has described the sector as “disorganised”, and he says he is eager and ready to bring organisation to the vast sporting sector.

The new Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport has shared that he is ready to work along with the various stakeholders to revamp the lucrative sector.
Ramson, who only recently acquired a Master of Science degree in Oil and Gas Engineering from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, when questioned about his qualification for the post of Sports Minister, unsurprisingly explained that sport has always been an interest of his.
“Most of you know that I have a very strong sport background. Even though I was doing Oil and Gas and speaking regularly on those things, I have always been doing Sport-related issues and Sport-related programmes,” he shared.
Minister Ramson Jr explained that sport can no longer operate in a dysfunctional manner, and all stakeholders and federations would have to play a part in reorganising the sector.
“We cannot have sport function in a way where it’s operating in an ad hoc manner. At one time, somebody thinks this is a good idea, or one group thinks this is a good idea. In order to create a sustainable sports development programme and a sport economy as well, (because sport is a business too), you need a system that is sustainable,” Ramson Jr posited.
He shared that it is his intent to build up the human resource and talents of athletes, in order to create a more viable sport sector in Guyana.
“Sport is more than just about hobbies and staying fit; it’s far bigger than that. It’s one of the largest sectors in the world, and it can very well be transformational for the country as well, by being able to draw on our human capital and our capital as young people,” the Minister shared.
On Thursday morning, the Minister met with staff of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport at that Ministry’s offices at Main and Quamina Streets; and in that meeting, he was assured that they are ready to support him. (Jemima Holmes)