In a bold move to transform Guyana’s sports landscape, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has called for a paradigm shift from government-dependent sports development to a business-driven model. Speaking at the Youth Forum of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Jagdeo emphasized the need to create a sustainable economic framework for sports that goes beyond mere infrastructure investments.
The Vice President highlighted the government’s unprecedented $8 billion allocation for sports in the 2025 national budget, bringing the total investment under President Irfaan Ali’s administration to over $22 billion in just five years. However, Jagdeo stressed that this financial commitment alone is not enough to create a thriving sports industry.
“Investment in sports is crucial. It has to be transformed into a business model,” Jagdeo stated, underlining the importance of professionalizing the sector to create sustainable careers for athletes, coaches, and administrators.
The Vice President pointed out several challenges facing Guyana’s sports development:
- Outdated practices within sporting associations
- Lack of long-term vision aligned with global sports business models
- Limited market size due to Guyana’s small population
To address these issues, Jagdeo called for a multi-faceted approach:
- Modernization of sports associations
- Development of comprehensive economic frameworks
- “Internationalization” of Guyana’s sports to overcome market limitations
The government’s commitment to sports infrastructure is evident in ongoing projects, including five new stadiums set to open in 2025, upgrades to hundreds of community sports grounds, and the construction of multipurpose indoor facilities across the country.
However, Jagdeo emphasized that improved facilities alone are insufficient. “We have to now support this with programmes that professionalise sports and create a business environment where people can earn a living from their passion,” he explained.
The Vice President’s vision extends beyond creating jobs for athletes in government sectors. Instead, he advocates for a model where individuals can make a good living solely through their involvement in sports.
As Guyana continues to experience unprecedented growth across various sectors, this call for a business-driven approach to sports development represents a significant opportunity to harness the country’s sporting potential and create a thriving, sustainable industry.
The success of this initiative will largely depend on the collaboration between the government and sports associations, as well as the ability to attract private sector investment and international partnerships. As Guyana positions itself for a new era in sports, the world watches with keen interest to see how this small nation might revolutionize its approach to sports development.
