Dear Editor,
In my last letter I mentioned Mr Neil Kumar and his waste-of-time performance as Director of Sport in Guyana, and I stated that money for sports and culture should come from the lotto fund as it was intended to. I notice that Mr Juman Yassin said the same thing about the lotto money, and responded in a most direct and straightforward way to criticisms by Mr Kumar about our Olympic team. I want to praise Mr Yassin for his statements and for his commitment to our youth. This government should be ashamed of itself, allowing Mr Kumar to keep his position when his tenure has been a dismal failure. Mr Ramotar should hand over all the lotto money accumulated over the years, to a new directorate of sport headed by Mr Juman Yassin.
Editor, the Olympics in London were a clear example of the greatness of sport and what became clear was the example of the UK and its concentration on specific targets for medals where success came in cycling, rowing and track and field. The Caribbean focused on track and field with great success, spearheaded by Jamaica and the legend of Usain Bolt. Many Caribbean countries saw success because there were men and women of vision in their respective governments who focused on the best chances to win medals, and win they did. For Guyana, with Neil Kumar as the Director we saw nothing at all, because the PPP ‘s President Ramotar refuses to build the required facilities for our concentration in boxing and track and field, areas where we could have a chance to get medals at future Olympics. Where are the boxing gyms which are a necessity for success? Where are the first-class synthetic tracks for success in track and field? Where is the direct support for our athletes? Is race a factor in placing proper facilities where they belong to produce the best results?
Why put a synthetic track on the West Coast and not use the huge space behind Cuffy Square where the former racetrack was? Neil Kumar should provide answers.
Editor, where has the lotto money been going for the longest while? Parliament should investigate as soon as possible and the Finance Minister should be made to answer pertinent questions and account for it. Mr Yassin is absolutely correct in questioning the whereabouts of our lotto money.
Mr Kumar should be replaced with a person from the private sector who has a vision and a real understanding of our youth’s aspirations.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
