By?Samuel Whyte
Like every activity in Guyana, the sport of Horseracing, although seemingly on the rise, has its fair share of problems. In fact according to some ?old timers? the sports is rapidly on the decline and probably in its worst state ever and most of that blame can be attributed to the sloth and non cooperation of the government especially the Ministry of Sports.
Marcel Crawford
Recently two of Guyana?s leading brains and veteran horseracing personalities Senior Council Marcel Crawford and retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil?Kennard have both blasted the Government for its non-support in?the horseracing fraternity, especially with the Government non-response to the passage of the Horseracing legislation.
Kennard, who is chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Guyana Horseracing authority,?stated that he does not want to be in charge of Horseracing at this time, but more involved in an advisory capacity, but the way things are going he is forced to assist.? He feels that since he has taken over at the helm things have improved.? But feels more ought to be done.
He is blaming the lack of adequate legislation as the main nuisance for the sports still not being properly administered.? Things are not to the level as it ought to be and people are still doing what they feel like, and we cannot nail them because there is no legislation he opined.
Kennard is unsure why the Government has not acted on the draft document which was handed to the Minister of Sport a long time ago, saying that its non-implementation remains the biggest concern of the IMC.
He said that he is willing at any time to lead a delegation to have an urgent meeting with the Minister of Sports to sort any hindrances. He however hopes to meet the minister soon.
The former Judge said that since the establishment of the IMC a number of things have been done including the establishment of a number of committees to help with the smooth running of the sport. He is optimistic that something will be done sooner than later.
Senior Council Marcel Crawford was more candid. Crawford is very disappointed with what passes as horseracing nowadays. He feels that things are done in a haphazard way, with plenty of indiscipline and too much greed. ?Persons do not have any concerns for the horses; they are only interested in making a profit. There are also too much doping of horses and illegal betting. The horses are doped in the open in front of everyone, even on the track.? ?He opined that persons should be charged for doping the animals, because it?s cruelty.
He feels that a lot more needs to be done if the sport is to get back to the glory days of Durban Park and in line with other Caribbean countries; this country he said is woefully behind.
His major disappointment is with the Government in that the Horseracing legislation has not been passed as yet.? He stated that he personally drafted the document and it was given to the minister of Culture Youth and Sports Dr Frank Anthony a long time ago, and since then nothing has been done. The minister he noted had given a commitment to have it tabled in Parliament.
He said that, ?For things to get better the government must come on board and work with the GHRA, they? must give concessions and? pass the legislation, which will help to regularize the sport.?
Mr. Crawford opined that Guyana can once again be the centre of Horseracing in the Caribbean, but the Government must assist, ?They cannot play this lay back game.?
He is disappointed that the Government is sitting on its hands in terms of passing the necessary legislations. ?In any country where sports are dominant the Governments play a leading role in assisting. They do not control, but assist.?? According to popular opinion, taking in the last Olympics, several small Caribbean countries did extremely well, because they spend money and have a properly organised system, but in Guyana its? only talk and politics.
Crawford also feels that there is need for a proper constituted GHRA which should lay down rules and stick to them stringently. Guyana should also have its own rules and not use other countries rules. He however said that the rules can be in line or patterned after other countries in the Caribbean.
The tracks should always be in order if that is not so the horses will not give of their best. Mr. Crawford will be even more drastic and close most of the tracks and race at one venue, this he said will control the sport. He cited Trinidad which has only one race track.
One important ingredient missing in horseracing in Guyana is the stud book. The establishment of a Stud Book with supporting records is a necessary prerequisite for affiliation to the Jockey Club of UK and other countries. ?Without a stud book our horses cannot race out of Guyana,? he affirmed.
Crawford stated that in days gone by, Guyana was the leading country when it came to Horseracing stating that persons from the Caribbean and South American use to come to Guyana and purchase horses and racehorses. Guyanese horses also used to go to other countries and win.
He said that, ?Some of the persons coming into the sport are not interested in learning to do things properly and if there are no rules things will not be done properly.?
To be involved in horse racing takes a lot of money and the cost has gone up astronomically the men emphasized.? They love horseracing and will do their bit to help it get back to previous years.? But first the government must help to pass the legislation.
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