The National Sports Commission (NSC) this week collaborated with the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana (EFG) to take a major step towards inclusivity and athlete welfare with a one-day workshop titled ‘Epilepsy in Sport- Awareness and Management.’
The landmark event was held at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, and brought together sport administrators, coaches and athletes from various national associations and federations.
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This initiative formed part of the Sports Commission’s ongoing developmental agenda and aligns closely with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ drive to promote inclusivity across all sporting disciplines.
It also served as a key component of the Epilepsy Foundation’s week of activities aimed at raising awareness about epilepsy in Guyana.
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This was the first workshop of its kind in Guyana to specifically address the intersection of epilepsy and sport, a topic that experts say has long been overlooked despite its importance.
Organisers believe the session will significantly benefit the local sporting fraternity by addressing common misconceptions and equipping participants with practical knowledge.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle underscored the significance of the workshop, calling it historic for the simple reason that it was the first such alliance between the Sports Commission and the Epilepsy Foundation.
“And it shows that we’re moving in the right direction,” Ninvalle declared.
“As Honourable Minister Charles Ramson would have said, ‘this is the year of openings.’ And I think when he said that we lent our minds to think that he was only talking about infrastructure, but actually we’re opening minds also.”
Ninvalle told the gathering of the importance of understanding the nexus between sports and medicine, and the intrinsic value of being inclusive, rather than exclusive.
“And I would like to share something with you- we would have met with the Epilepsy Foundation maybe a week and a half to two weeks ago and from that we’ve started conversations with the physiotherapy department of the Ministry of Health to have a similar seminar,” Ninvalle announced.
General Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon commended the Epilepsy Foundation for convening the workshop, noting that this forum goes way beyond medals, and embraces dignity, education, safety and inclusion.
“So the Olympic movement has championed the ideal that sport is a powerful vehicle for unity and for human development. But in order for that promise to be real it must be accessible to all, including athletes living with neurological conditions like epilepsy,” Persaud-McKinnon told the gathering.
She continued: “And research has consistently shown that when communities are educated, stigma is reduced, participation increases and individuals are empowered to reach their full potential- sport is no exception.”
Economics Lecturer and Founder of the Guyana Epilepsy Foundation, Dr. Thomas Singh was keen to point out that the workshop forms part of activities to raise awareness during epilepsy week.
Topics at workshop included understanding the nature of epilepsy, identifying different seizure types and symptoms, administering immediate and appropriate first aid during a seizure, and managing the condition over the long term within a sporting environment.
About the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana
The Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana (EFG) is a dedication association of physicians, health professionals, allied and para-health workers, and individuals living with epilepsy, all working together to promote equal access to healthcare and protect the rights of persons with seizures.
EFG champions the well-being of people with epilepsy across all areas of life- health, education and employment- while fostering understanding, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals and families throughout Guyana.
The specific objectives of the EFG are to:
- Raise awareness and dispel myths
- Educate on seizure recognition and management
- Collect data and support research
- End discrimination in schools and workplaces
- Provide counselling and guidance
- Share the latest medical research with practitioners
- Engage the public in fundraising activities
- Collaborate with local and international partners
The EFG is located at 67 Brickdam and Brummell Place in Georgetown, and can be contacted on +592-645-7776 or by emailing epilepsyfoundationgy@gmail.com
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