GOA receives over $2.5M from Ministry
...for Commonwealth Games
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
July 16, 2002
The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) yesterday received a cheque valued $1,824,255 from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, as part of the ministry's assistance in sending a 16-member delegation to the Commonwealth Games, which opens in Manchester, England on Sunday.
Addressing members of the media yesterday in the Ministry's board room, Minister of Sports Gail Teixeira said her ministry was approached by the GOA, for assistance in sending a team of athletes and officials to the Games.
The athletes selected are (Track and Field) Alian Pompey and Marian Burnette, (Rifle Shooting) Ransford Goodluck and Mahendra Persaud, (Weight lifting) Shondell King and Julian McWatt, (Squash) Nicolette Fernandes, Luke Fraser and Regan Pollard and (Boxing) , Theophilus Blue and Rudolph Fraser. Six officials will also accompany the team.
According to Teixeira, the total cost for the delegation is approximately US$26,678. The GOA received a grant from the Commonwealth Games committee for US$9,268, leaving a balance of US$17,408. "GOA put in 50 percent or US$8,704, leaving a deficit of US$8,704" Teixeira said.
Teixeira said her ministry has already given $219,240 to the rifle shooters to cover meals and incidentals while competing at the Bisley tournament in England between July 3 to 15. "We also gave the Guyana Amateur Weight Lifting Association $146,140 for meals for the lifters who will be training in advance," Teixeira pointed out, adding, "the Guyana High Commission in London and the Guyanese organisations in London are providing accommodation and transportation within London, free of charge. So the support of the ministry will be $1,824,225 in direct support to the Guyana Olympic Association."
According to Teixeira, her ministry will be granting airport and travel tax waivers for the persons travelling and this amounts to $400,000. "So the total support we are lending to the team is $2,589,625, and again, I ask to note the support of the Guyanese overseas, both the High Commission and the organisations," Teixeira pointed out.
King, McWatt, Goodluck, Persaud and Fernandes are currently in England, continuing their preparations for the Games, while Fraser will leave Canada where he is based for England sometime this week. Burnette and Pompey are somewhere in Europe.
Goodluck and Persaud are currently contesting the Queen's Imperial Rifle Shooting Tournament (Bisley) as part of their preparation.
Teixeira informed that Burnette's preparation in Europe has been made possible through a Guyanese living in England.
In handing over the cheque to GOA's representative Neville Denny, Minister Teixeira wished the team success and said all Guyana would be looking forward for a team that will represent Guyana proudly and keep the Golden Arrowhead to their hearts.