Sporting bodies in Guyana are expressing concern over various reports coming out of the Bahamas of the reported mismanagement of Guyanese athletes who competed at the recently concluded CARIFTA games.
According to reports, questions are being raised about the arrangements made for accommodation and food in the Bahamas for the Guyanese athletes. There are also reports that the swim team in Curacao faced similar issues.
The Guyana Athletes Commission (GAC) in a statement issued this morning, said it is concerned about the mismanagement of Guyana’s athletics team participating at the 50th CARIFTA Games being held in the Bahamas, citing negative reports from athletes, coaches, media, social media, and parents.
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The Guyana contingent is predominantly comprised of Afro-Guyanese athletes. The current ruling party of this multi-racial Republic is of Indian decent.
Racial tensions in this historically politically divided and now oil rich nation has ramped up to an unprecented caustic and volatile level since the bitterly contested 2020 presidential elections. The oil business may be booming; however, Afro-Guyanese in general feel they have been left off the gravy train.
I am not the sharpest tool in the shed nor a social scientist but my two cents worth of sense tell me that racially and politically driven motives could have resulted in inadequate logistical planning and support for the athletes.
The apparent shortsighted planning approach of the Guyanes Carifta Games organizers sadly served to undermine the youngsters who should be treated as ambassadors competing in service of their country.