NSC, Epilepsy Foundation to host groundbreaking workshop on Epilepsy in Sport

The National Sports Commission (NSC) will collaborate with the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana (EFG) to take a major step toward inclusivity and athlete welfare when they host a one-day workshop titled ‘Epilepsy in Sport- Awareness and Management.’

The landmark event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, from 10:30h at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, and will bring together sport administrators, coaches and athletes from various national associations and federations.

This initiative forms part of the NSC’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 serves as a key component of the Epilepsy Foundation’s week of activities aimed at raising awareness about epilepsy in Guyana.

This will be 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.

Epilepsy remains widely misunderstood, and athletes living with the condition often face unique challenges, including stigma and uncertainty about participation in physical activity.

However, research consistently shows that individuals with epilepsy can safely engage in sport with proper medical management and informed support from those around them.

The workshop will therefore focus on empowering the sporting community with essential knowledge. Presentations and discussions will be led by EFG officials and several of Guyana’s leading neurologists.

Economics Lecturer and Founder of the Guyana Epilepsy Foundation, Dr. Thomas Singh will also speak at the workshop.

Topics will include 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.

By building awareness, organisers hope to foster a safer and more supportive atmosphere for athletes with epilepsy.

Misunderstandings and fear can often lead to unnecessary discrimination, discouraging participation and limiting the athletic potential of those affected. Education, they say, is the key to breaking down these barriers.

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle described the workshop as a watershed moment for sport in Guyana, noting that it marks the first time such targeted attention is being placed on epilepsy within the local sporting context.

He stressed that inclusivity must go beyond simply opening doors, pointing out that stakeholders must also understand what to do if an athlete experiences a seizure.

Ninvalle added that it is equally important for the public to recognise that people living with epilepsy can lead normal, active lives and should never be discriminated against because of their health condition.

Organisers are confident the workshop will help pave the way for a more inclusive sporting culture, one that places equal value on performance, health, safety and understanding.