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Jan 08, 2015 Sports
By Franklin Wilson
It has not been smooth sailing or lifting for the sport of weightlifting in Guyana over the past four years with no competition being held as a result of a dearth of athletes.
The Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) through its long standing Secretary Deion Nurse has been trying its utmost to focus on the development of young athletes and would have given the chance to a few to compete overseas despite not having any experience.
The names Darren Williams, Deniola Bristol and Sheriah Melville readily comes to mind as the athletes who would have donned national colours at the South American Youth Games in 2013 in Lima, Peru without any local experience.
This move according to Nurse was in keep with the forward thrust of the association which is still alive and that is to get the youths involved as they seek a rebirth of the sport.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sports yesterday, Nurse informed that the challenges continue for the association but they are working to ensure that the sport lifts off finally in 2015 with the assistance of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), Pan American Weightlifting Federation (PAWF) and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).
Nurse, one of four qualified Level Three coaches in Guyana which is the highest level one can attain, shared that there isn’t a challenge with coaches.
“As a matter of fact, we have at least 25 trained and qualified Level One Coaches certified by the IWF. We also have another 2 at Level Two and four at Level Three.”
He is of the view that the time is right for a more sustained approach towards the revitalizing of the sport and they are encouraged by the assistance of the Guyana Olympic Association which has been exceptional despite their own challenges.
“The GOA, Pan American and world Bodies have all been in tune with what’s going on in Guyana and we intend to make this year the year when we see a real turn around for the sport. The PAWF through a development grant presented two weightlifting sets to the GAWA in May 2014 and we will be receiving five more sets from the IWF later this year.”
“So I believe that in terms of up to date equipment we will be right up there. Facilities have been a constant challenge for us and I am happy to say that there will be significant change in this area also this year.”
Nurse also disclosed that GAWA attended two international events in 2014, the Under-17 Pan American championships in Lima, Peru as well as the same entity’s Congress.
“Looking ahead to this year, I can inform you and Guyana that the GAWA is aiming to attend the World Youth championships that would be held in Lima, Peru, April 18 – 26. The Junior Pan American championships and Congress in Columbia, May 5 – 10 and the Senior World championships set for November 20 – 29 in Houston, Texas.”
GAWA will be working on doing programmes at the New Opportunity Corp, Kuru Kuru College as well as the Cyril Potter College of Education, Nurse noted.
He extended sincere gratitude to the President and Executive of the GOA for the continued faith they have been placing in the sport while also complimenting the PAWF and IWF for their continued show of confidence.
“We’ve endured some tough and challenging times but I am optimistic that 2015 will see positive change for the sport.”
The GAWA elections are slated to be held on or before February 28, this year.
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