Dear Editor,
In another section of the media under the headline, “GOA pledges $1m yearly for BAIRD… NSC to help UG scholarship athletes”, I believe this is Guyana’s downfall with sports development. Why is it that I can’t read a headline that say’s that Guyanese athletes will receive fully pledged financial support from all stake holders, which includes the GOA, AAG, GTU, NSC, GDF, PS, GPF and the Ministry of Education/Sports? I have preached it a million times over that Guyana is not prepared financially to undertake the full cost of the development of athletes to rub shoulders with elite athletes of the globe. Why is the GOA reaching out to the NSC to ‘lend assistance?’ Why is the GOA hoping that the GDF will pitch in to help “BAIRD’ who is employed/works by/for that agency? The 2017 World Championships is slated for London, has Guyana identified which potential athletes they have currently in preparation for this meet? Or is it the usual that at the last minute, we will select persons and expect them to medal? On the other hand I am grateful to witness the financial help pledged to athletes heading off overseas for training/preparation, but I honestly do not foresee myself jumping out my seat with Guyana qualifying for any finals with the locally based athletes anytime soon… triple-jumper and USA based athlete, Troy Doris, is an exception.
Yours faithfully,
T Pemberton
