Science of sports development among topics discussed

By Sean Devers

Shifting to Science based approach to training, inculcating a winning attitude, the Business of Sport and minimum standard for a traveling team, were topics discussed when the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports held its second National Sports Conference yesterday at the National Culture Centre.

The Conference was divvied into segments with a Coffee Break and Lunch break. Akeem Greene, Rawle Toney, Avenash Ramzan and Frankie Wilson were the Moderators.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson told the gathering of Sports Administrators, Athletes, National Sports Commission (NSC) officials and the Media that no longer can we say that we have talent without backing it up with results.

“Cricket was the one sport in we were the best in the World but the other cricketing nations have moved past us by using scientific methods.

We never had fixed Cricket Academy. There was one in Grenada but it has closed, we had one in Barbados but it has closed and we now have on in

Antigua” said Minister Ramson, whose brain child is the National Sports Academy.

The Minister said that we know what to do more scientifically and need more facilities.

“We commenced the construction of the Mini Stadiums at Anna Regina and McKenzie.

We commenced the transformation of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, commenced construction of modern stands at the athletic tracks in New Amsterdam and Linden and completed construction of a new stand at the Leonora Track and Field Stadium” added Ramson.

The Minister informed that that the GOG has completed the procurement of quality International lights for the Syntactic Track in New Amsterdam.

Ramson stated that there were major renovation works at the National Stadium, procurement of lights for the Uitvlugt ground, commencement of construction of a new Doubles Squash Court and a new Racquet Hall at the National Racquet Centre were done last year.

“We commenced construction on an all-weather cricket training facility at the National Stadium, completed the Asphalt work at the Linden Track We completed and supported 55 Community grounds last year and 92 since coming into office while 21 of those grounds have lights.

The Sport Policy, which will be the first the CARICOM, will be completed in this year. We are expanding on programs and the Sports Academy will be partnering the Guyana Defense Force (GDF).

This year the focus will be on tournaments and raising awareness of the main Events” the MP said.

According to the Sports Minister, next year will see the commencement of the Elite training program.

“We have to have an obsession about winning and feed that attitude to the players. We have to capitalize on our sports and talent” added the MP who played Cricket and Basketball at a competitive level.

The first session had contributions from GFF President Wayne Forde, GSA’s David Fernandes, former Guyana and West Indies player Ramnaresh Sarwan, Physiotherapist Ariane Mangar and nutritionist Gillian Trim.

Guyana Harpy Eagles fitness and strength trainer Angela Holder also spoke about the YO-YO Test and nutrition and how it helps fitness and skill development.

Sarwan, the owner of a Mall, said when he was sent (along with six other West Indies players) to the Cricket Academy in Australia he was exposed to the best facilities and personnel which were not available in the West Indies.

Forde, the GFF, believes that sports science is very important for sports development by using technological equipment. He also informed the GFF has had a fitness trainer on staff for the last four years.

The GFF Head said players at the school level should have the fundamentals, adding there should be medical tests done on all players in National teams.

Mangar spoke of ‘biomechanics’ and encouraged sports persons to repeat something over and over until it is instinctively done. She also emphasized the importance of the right diet and sleep.

Trim stressed the importance of eating a balanced diet with a bit from all six food groups

Fernandes said that some squash players with dedication, discipline and the willingness to work hard have been more successful than those with talent.

Donald Duff, a former National Table Tennis and Sports Editor of the Stabroek News said the young players should get advice from those who have been there and done that.

TDO of the GCB and former Test pacer Colin Stuart, Ex-Guyana Cricketer and business owner Lennox Cush, Squash player Ashley Khalid, Businessmen and President of GCC, Timothy Tucker, Troy Cadogan, Chateram Ramdihal, Captain Gerry Gouveia, GTTA President Godfrey Munroe, Dr Karen Pilgrim, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, GASA President Aubrey Hutson, and GTA President Christy Campbell all made meaningful contributions to yesterday’s program.