President of the Common-wealth Games Federation, Michael Fennell, says that the Caribbean needs to promote more international events to boost sports tourism and ensure that athletes have an incentive for their own development.
Fennell made the remarks in his feature address at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Appreciation and Awards Ceremony held Saturday evening at the Georgetown Club.
Fennell said the Caribbean had the capability of hosting international events in reference to the region’s staging of ICC Cricket World Cup last year.
The Jamaica-born Sports Administrator added: “Unfortunately history will not be kind to the hosting of Cricket World Cup because of deficiency that existed with it, but I can tell you, having attended a conference on legacy in Barbados two weeks ago, when you tabulate the legacy of World Cup Cricket, you will find that the balance sheet shows very much in favour of having it than not having it.”
He said that there was no reason why the Caribbean could not hold world class events like the French Open and Wimbledon Tennis championships which would involve people travelling to the Caribbean, boosting sports tourism and carving a niche for the region.
Fennell disclosed that Cricket World Cup had left a legacy for the region and while it might be difficult at this time to justify the building of all the stadiums and cricket fields, 20 to 25 years from now the region would see the benefits.
Speaking to an audience that included the country’s top sports administrators and members of the diplomatic corps, Fennell remarked that it would be a challenge for the region’s sports leaders to find the use of the stadiums for future events.
He said the region could be proud of hosting last year’s mega event: “What is important is the development of our people to host international events and we hosted those events where all matches start on time, all the matches were held in proper order, the control of the crowd and the management of the actual games themselves we have gained a lot of credit.”
Fennell opined that hosting international events would ensure that Caribbean athletes have an incentive for their own development and not just use sports for health and physical recreation.
The region’s top sports administrator said that such programmes could not be done in isolation and would need government’s support.
Fennell urged the Guyana government to assist the GOA in acquiring land for its development programme.
Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, called on sports administrators to start work now to ensure that Guyana was represented at the inaugural World Junior Olympics in 2010 to be held either in Singapore or Russia.
He said sports tourism was an avenue that needed to be explored and actively promoted.
He said that doping was also another area of concern that local sports administrators have to pay keen attention to.
“If our athletes are to compete internationally then they have to pass these required tests and if they don’t pass them then you will have very severe consequences for the associations and federations that are sending them.”
He said that the government would be working with the relevant authorities to set up testing facilities that were needed and would be signing on to the international conventions that deal with doping.
GOA President K.A. Juman-Yassin appealed to Dr. Anthony to assist the GOA in acquiring land to build its offices.
According to the GOA head, Guyana’s President, Bharrat Jagdeo, had identified a plot of land but it was deemed unsuitable and the President was approached again and he promised to review the situation.
Juman-Yassin said the GOA strongly condemned the recent massacre at Lusignan.
The Appreciation Evening was highlighted by the presentation of awards to several sports personalities.
Lennox “Lenny” Shuffler was presented with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Trophy 2007 – Sports and the Promotion of Olympism.
Former Guyana Hockey Board President Chris Fernandes, North American and West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA) President Christopher “Kit” Nascimento and veteran boxing official Rudolph Torrington were presented with plagues for their contributions to the development of sports in Guyana.
NCN sports producer Leeron Brummell was voted sports journalist of the year, while Ivor O’Brien was named Council member of 2007.
The evening’s proceedings were chaired by GOA vice president Claude Blackmore, while O’Brien presented the Association’s 2007 report.
