By Edison Jefford
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony feels that a new approach is needed if there is to be development of school sport in particular across Guyana.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport after his official opening remarks at the inter-secondary school FUTSAL tournament at the National Gymnasium on Tuesday Anthony said that the ministry will be keen on changing the current culture in school sport.
“The whole thing is about a new approach to sports. I want to help these school sports programme to get back to what they used to be,” the minister said, adding that events such as the FUTSAL tournament are good places to start.
Asked about his overwhelming presence at several sport events that engage young people, Anthony said that he believes the ministry must lead the way and that’s why the national “keep fit Guyana” plan was created.
“We want to get as many people as possible involved and with that kind of support, the programmes will rise,” an optimistic Anthony noted.
The minister said that no discipline would be left out of the ministry’s scope. He said that the ministry would be hosting an international track and field coach who will work with local athletes soon.
“We are bringing in an international coach to work with local athletes. I am currently having discussions with the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG),” he indicated, while stating that other disciplines will also benefit from the ministry. In his opening remarks at the National Sports Commission (NSC) Annual Mashramani table tennis tournament, Anthony stated that another Chinese table tennis coach would be coming to Guyana this year.
The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) benefited from a Chinese table tennis coach who was brought to Guyana by the ministry during the period 2004-2006.
Anthony said that the ministry is bent on creating an environment of competition, which is necessary for athletes to develop. He noted that there are a number of events including an annual 10 km road race that will be undertaken by the ministry this year.
Some 20 schools are registered to participate in the ongoing 2007 instalment of the national secondary schools FUTSAL tournament sponsored by Edward Beharry, NSC, Ansa McAl and Guyoil.
