Latest update May 14th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 06, 2016 Sports
The Tavel Foundation Youth Organisation (TFYO) launched its 2016 three-week Youth Football Clinic and Training Camp last Tuesday at the Roxanne Burnham Recreational Facility, East Ruimveldt Back Road and Coach Sampson Gilbert expressed satisfaction with the first week of activities.
The first week included classroom work and football drills and attracted 30 youths between the ages of 7-17. Registration is free and the organisers said they catered for 50 participants with registration being extended to next week Tuesday.
Gilbert who is also President of TFYO told Kaieteur Sport that the programme which runs every week day up to Friday August 19 from 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs and from 13:00hrs to 15:00hrs, provides tuition in areas such as football skills, social etiquette, life skills with focus on general discipline, career development, conflict resolution, first aid and injury treatment, remedial reading and drug education among other topics.
According to Gilbert, the tutors include Lawyer Nigel Hughes while assistance would also come from the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, the Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection, Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports.
“We are using football as a tool as we strive for a holistic development process. Most times by watching how the youths react in the game provides a window to their minds and could give an indication to their behavioral pattern off the pitch” Gilbert said.
The eloquent Gilbert, who attended the St John’s College and participated in the international year of the child activities, disclosed that this influenced his desire to work with the younger ones and to help build their minds.
“That made me reach out to the youngsters at the Fruta Conquers FC when I was a Coach there” said the Secretary of the Guyana Football Coaches Association.
Gilbert revealed that his initial budget of $1.5 Million catered for 10 Coaches to be hired to micro manage the youngsters who are from all areas and not just East and West Ruimveldt.
Gilbert, speaking in his capacity as TFYO President, informed that every student is provided with lunch and water while there are an adequate number off balls and gear.
“With a culture of keeping the surroundings clean being intensified after the clean-up campaign, this piece of land was cleared and our club was allowed to utilize it so we decided to hold the Camp here this year.
We have gotten a few sponsors but we are encouraging others to come on board to help keep these youngsters meaningfully occupied which will keep them away from crime and other social ills as they grow into young men,” Gilbert added.
Gilbert was high in praise for TV host Mark Young who is coordinating the programme and thanked Guyana Waste Disposal and Hunter Portable Toilets for providing toilets, Sparta Boss FC, Big Boss Trucking Service, Dynasty Night Spot, and several other individuals who have contributed.
Unlike last year, no girls are a part of the Camp this year due to absence of female coaches. Five-year-old Omar Pedro, son of former player Ola ‘Solo Tall Boy’ Pedro, is the youngest member of the camp and looks very skillful at such a young age. (Sean Devers)
Listen how to run an oil country
May 14, 2024
– Rugby Union peeved at silence from Government on request for National Park upgrade By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), under the guidance of its...Kaieteur News – Bharrat Jagdeo needs a refresher to be able to better differentiate between a party’s foundational... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Is it ever justifiable for journalism to fan the flames of geopolitical tension? This question arises... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]