Norton Pledges Medical Insurance, Training for National Athletes Under APNU Administration
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
Presidential candidate for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, has accused the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) of neglecting young athletes and outlined bold plans to empower youth and national sports if elected in the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Speaking at a public meeting, Norton committed to launching a National Youth Empowerment Scheme, which will include the establishment of youth training centers in every region and the introduction of a medical insurance scheme for all national athletes.
“We intend to bring to an end the existing situation where, through injury, many of our athletes are forced out of athletics,” Norton declared.
Norton emphasized that his government will ensure athletes are not sidelined due to a lack of resources or medical support — a situation he says has become all too common under the current administration.
National Shadow Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Nima Flue-Bess, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the lack of structured support systems for national athletes under the PPPC regime.
“Athletes are selected to represent the country without a proper plan to prepare them for competition. Many of them work full-time and train in the evenings. That is not sustainable,” Flue-Bess stated.
She pointed to several injury cases where athletes had to quit due to insufficient insurance coverage, promising that the APNU’s plan will address all gaps, from training and health coverage to financial support.
Addressing the deplorable state of community sports grounds, particularly in Afro-Guyanese communities, Flue-Bess questioned the government’s priorities:
“Why is it that the GDF ground is always well-kept? Eve Leary, well-kept. Bourda ground, well-kept. What is so different that the government can’t maintain our community grounds the same way?”
Both Norton and Flue-Bess pledged to restore sports infrastructure, prioritize youth development, and create a supportive ecosystem for Guyana’s young talents.
The 2025 General and Regional Elections are constitutionally due on September 1st, 2025.
