Sport Ministry recognises lack in local coaching expertise

The Sport Ministry noted there is a lack of local coaches with high-level expertise, but notes plans in place to combat this challenge.

In the recent budget debates, questions were raised on the efficacy of the sport academy for core sports.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is developing academies for twelve identified core sporting diciplines with a nursery to introduce new persons to the sport, as well as an elite training programme to ensure talented local athletes are able to compete at the highest level.

Shadow Minister of Sport Jermaine Figuiera praised the Ministry’s focus on core sports, but inquired whether Guyana has the skillset required to take these athletes to an elite level.

“Guyana don’t even have two ‘A’ license coaches for football, one of the biggest sport in this country. Given this reality and the identified disciplines.”

“Do we have the skillset in the coaches and if not, would the ministry be investing in training those individuals so that they become certified or qualified to lead those respective disciplines?”

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr was not present at the debate due to contracting covid-19, but Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony responded on behalf of the Ministry.

Dr. Anthony admitted there is a lack of expertise but highlighted plans to combat this.

“There is a recognition that there is a lack of the type of expertise needed to coach the young people. So there’s two approaches.”

“One is to hire and to bring in expert coaches, and we’ve had in the past such arrangements with Cuban coaches that came to Guyana and worked with our athletes. We had swimming coaches, we had persons in track and field, boxing and so forth.”

“So that’s one approach. And while we do that we also have to work on our local coaches.”

He further emphasised the local coaches will be provided access to the necessary training programmes to develop their expertise.

In the area of some sports that have specific requirements for certifications, the international Governing body for the sport offers courses from time to time.

Dr. Anthony added that the Nation Resource Centre is there to provide coaching education for the various sports, and is equipped with a sport resource library with the necessary study material.

The $2.2B budgeted allocation for sport, as announced by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh was approved around 23:25 hours on Tuesday.