PARAMARIBO — Sports organizations and schools from Paramaribo, Marowijne, Commewijne, Saramacca, Para and Wanica are provided with sports equipment by the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (JOS). This concerns supplies for badminton, basketball, mind sports, karate, taekwondo, football and volleyball. The remaining districts will be eligible for sports attributes at a later date.
The Surinamese Taekwondo Association (STA) was eligible for, among other things, a third generation electronic scoring system, after until recently working with an old system. According to chairman Gregory Markiet, the new equipment can certainly be used in the coming years. He spoke of a positive development and thanked the ministry for the support. Markiet emphasized that sports development does not only require financial resources.
“You have to be busy with the young people every day, then we can talk about youth development. Not just once during the holidays.”
JOS Minister Lalinie Gopal
Inventory
Enrique Ralim, acting director of Sports, spoke on Tuesday in the Congress Hall about a special moment, after a process in which the ministry, together with sports organizations, identified the needs within the sector. Sports equipment turned out to be the most necessary.
The action was prepared by JOS based on inventories and lists requested from the organizations. Federations that have not yet made their needs known will be considered in the next phase. According to Ralim, the ministry received several requests in the past year, but there was hardly any material available.
Minister Lalinie Gopal made it clear that JOS can support sports organizations in various ways. In addition to financial subsidies and support for top athletes, the support consists of material, sports framework and making government facilities available at adjusted rates.
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Annual planning
According to the minister, it is important that sports associations submit an annual plan in order to qualify for support. “You have to work with young people every day, then we can talk about youth development. Not just once during the holidays,” the minister said. According to her, incidental activities for which support is requested should also be reflected in the annual planning.
The JOS branches and commissariats in districts where the ministry does not have a branch will also be provided with sports equipment. The minister did note that not every sports club can receive individual material. Clubs can appeal in writing to the facilities and sports leaders present at the branches.
The ministry has also considered children with disabilities who need adapted sports equipment. According to Gopal, this has now been provided.
