“We want medals, obviously. In fact, the government would treat the acquisition of medals in a very different way. But understand in every moment you get there that a lot of people are looking towards you and you are inspiring them.”
This is what the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson told some Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic qualifying athletes today in the presence of the media.
The Minister met with Keevin Allicock (boxer); Aliyah Abrams (400m runner); Chelsea Edghill (table tennis) and Walter Grant-Stuart who is a cyclist and Guyana’s lone athlete competing for the Paralympics. Present also today was Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad.
The meeting was mainly so that the ministry can pledge its full support to the athletes.
In addition to his words of encouragement, the Minister handed over US$1000 to each athlete. That money is for personal use. The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) will provide per diem, outfit, and travel for the athletes.
Minister Ramson told the athletes, “this is only the beginning of the support.”
Athletes are slated to leave Guyana in the coming days.
