Although it is one year ago that president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K. Juman-Yassin had said the main focus of his association was to own its own building, the sod is still to be turned at the site.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport yesterday, Juman-Yassin pointed out that despite several letters to those in authority, neither he nor his association had received any response from government.
“It hasn’t gone further despite a letter to the President (Bharrat Jagdeo). Not a word, positive or negative.”
The attorney-at-law said as recent as December 29 the GOA wrote President Jagdeo asking for a decision “in one way or the other, but up to now we have not received any word.”
In an interview last January, Juman-Yassin had said he was hoping that the GOA would get a piece of land at Durban Park to construct its own building. His association had written the then Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Anthony Xavier who subsequently informed them that the matter had to go to the Cabinet for consideration. But Juman-Yassin said he was still awaiting word from the powers that be.
The former chief magistrate had said the GOA might be able to get a half acre of land at Durban Park, since the proprietor of the building that currently houses its headquarters, wanted back his building and he was putting pressure on the GOA.
The association’s headquarters is presently located at the corner of Peter Rose and Church streets, and is owned by a prominent businessman.
“So I’m hoping this month (January), the government will be able to say the land is there for you, and we would be able to start our operations immediately. I’m looking at a three-storey building or whatever we can afford,” Juman-Yassin had said a year ago.
And yesterday he said: “Our position at the moment is if the government can’t give us a piece of land then we’ll have to purchase land.”
The GOA head had said he wanted to have a place for the rehabilitation of athletes (physiotherapy).
According to Juman-Yassin, the final decision regarding the allocation of land “lies with the President. We were led to believe that we would get a piece of land at Durban Park, but we are still hopeful.”
More than three years ago, President Jagdeo, while delivering the feature address at the GOA’s Annual Awards Ceremony at the Georgetown Club, had said his government was willing to work with the GOA and any of its affiliates for the development of sport in Guyana.
Juman-Yassin in his address hadpleaded with President Jagdeo and his government for a piece of land to construct a stadium (an all- purpose facility) and had indicated that the GOA could garner the funds required.
Jagdeo in replying to Juman-Yassin had challenged him and his organization to prove to him and his government that they (GOA) could get the financial support.
