Ramson vows to assist CARIFTA athletes in planning their future

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr has made a bold promise to this year’s CARIFTA athletes, who have just returned from Jamaica, assuring the teens that he and other stakeholders would assist them in carving the path to their individual future.

The declaration was made when the Minister met with the athletes for the first time since their return on Thursday. The CARIFTA contingent, returning with seven medals, touched local shores in the wee hours of Thursday morning, and were given a grand reception at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), at which the Minister was unable to be present.
However, later in the day, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. interacted with the athletes and vowed to ensure that they be given the platform to articulate what they would like to achieve in future, and plan their next moves accordingly.

“I also want to have a session with you, so that you can tell me, individually, what’s important to you. Like what you want to do in your life, so that, as the Government of Guyana, we can make those things happen for you,” the Sport Minister vowed.
He went on to explain his intention, stating, “I don’t want to make generalized statements and generalized offers, because everybody has their own dreams. Everybody in this room has their own dream. We want to help you get to the next stage, and to do that, it’s an important session for you to have with me and the National Sports Commission as individuals, and also with the Athletics Association.”

Ramson also took the opportunity to highlight the fiasco earlier this week, where allegations of neglect by the Government and the Athletics Association of Guyana arose. He clarified that this was not the case.
“At no point in time would it ever be the case that the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Government of Guyana would ever know that you are in any situation overseas that you need support and that we would not support you,” he told the athletes.
“There will never be the case that that’s what it is,” he affirmed.
Also extending congratulations to the nation’s athletes was NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad, who spoke of the pride that the team’s achievement brought him.
“For the first time, we’re hearing Guyana and Guyanese, they’re doing this and winning. It was a joy! So, the work that was put in by the Athletics Association and the support that the Government of Guyana will continue to give athletes, I think it will only augur well,” Muhammad said.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle shared similar sentiments, highlighting, “What has happened in Jamaica is the show of when we’re focused what we can achieve. There were several distractions, we were focused and we stuck to the task at hand, and that is the reason why we’re able to come away this successful.”
AAG President Aubrey Hutson spoke of the sacrifices that were made by not only the athletes, but parents and stakeholders, noting that the reward is sweet.
“We know the weekends, the work that we’ve been doing. Every weekend out of the house for competition, during the week training, facing the criticism sometimes of two much competition, too hard training; but we know what we wanted,” the AAG boss divulged.
“I think my coaches, trainers, the entire technical staff who would’ve sacrificed their Saturday and Sunday to hold competition for you guys, going home with just $100 in their pockets; it’s for you! It’s for you! It’s for us, and you would’ve rewarded us now,” A proud Hutson concluded.
Guyana accumulated 2 gold, three silver and two bronze medals at the recently concluded 49th edition of the Games. (Jemima Holmes)