Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 11, 2009 Sports
Massive turnout to impressive ceremony
By Edison Jefford at Albion
Scores of people crammed into the Albion Community Centre Ground last night to witness what may well become one of the best Schools’ Championships Opening Ceremonies held in the New Millennium.
It was definitely a spectacular creative attempt.
There was little space left in the stands at Albion as vehicles occupied every inch of space on the on the road outside the facility to enjoy the opening programme that was filled with high profiled speeches before there were diverse culture presentations.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox, Regional Chairman for Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha and Regional Education Officer, Shafiran Bhajan were among those who took the salute from the athletes’ March Past.
Defending champions Upper Demerara/Kwakwani impressed with their uniformity but it was the host, District Six Corentyne, who stunned enthusiasts with their creative March Past concept and Mascot to win that competition hands down last night.
Corentyne stopped in front the officials, dropped their banner and cyclist came walking through to give a pulsating dramatic effect that caused huge eruptions.
The host, dressed in yellow and green track suits, could not ask for a better atmosphere.
Prime Minister Hinds told the massive crowd that he joins in the commendation of the Ministry of Education and Guyana’s Teachers’ Union on their achievement of being able to host the 49th Schools’ Track and Field, Cycling and Swimming Championships.
“I wish you all keenly competitive sports. I hope that one or two athletes can be identified to be able to go further and represent Guyana,” Hinds said, before reading President Bharat Jagdeo’s speech. Hinds had represented the President at the event.
“I urge excellence both on and off the field and pool, since the athletes deserve nothing better than to be able to showcase their talents free of distractions and impediments,” Hinds read as he geared to officially open the 49th edition of the Championships.
Before the Prime Minister took the podium, Minister Anthony roused the crowd when he noted that Guyana will soon be able to compete with the best athletes in the region with Government’s current input toward the development of local sport.
“Sport is that vehicle that allow for excellence. The lessons on the playing field are lessons that are for life,” Anthony indicated, warning the athletes that they have not yet reached the height of their achievements, which would be to represent Guyana.
However, Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) President, Genevieve Alleyne Summoned the Ministry of Education and Government to take a more serious approach to sport with the introduction of a physical education programme in schools nationwide.
“GTU recommends that physical education become an integral part of our schools,” Alleyne said as she continued to list several other areas that need urgent attention from Government if athletes are to have sustained and measured development.
“GTU recommends better facilities for our athletes. We recommend that we put all the necessary facilities [that are] needed for the whole development of our athletes,” the acting GTU head said, in place of Colwyn King, who has resigned from the post.
It was not recommendation that fell on deaf ears. Minister Baksh assured the Union that there are systems in place for the development of sport at the schools’ level. He said that they intend to be more proactive with regions and training of teachers.
“I want to assure GTU that programmes are in place for the development of sports,” he informed before asking the regions if they are going to challenge District 10 for the Championships. There was a resounding “yes” from the athletes gathered on the field.
Baksh said that sport develops both discipline and self confidence. The Annual Track and Field, Cycling and Swimming Championships continues today with the Track and Field and sporadic Cycling competitions at the Albion Community Centre Ground.
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