MOE/GTU 2013 ‘Nationals’…Championships officially opened by PM Samuel Hinds

Nov 21, 2013 Sports

By Sean Devers
The Ministry of Education (MOM) and Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) National Schools Athletics, Cycling, Swimming and Track & Field Championship, sponsored by Digicel, was officially declared open yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence by Prime Minister of Guyana, Samuel Hinds.

(From right to left) GTU President Colin Bynoe, PM Samuel Hinds, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman and Degicel’s Customer Care Executive Sherwin Osborne at the March Past yesterday.

There was an impressive march past of the 15 competing teams with the Ceremonial salute being taken by Hinds, who was performing the duties of President. The PM was flanked by GTU President Colin Bynoe, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Degicel’s Customer Care Executive Sherwin Osborne and Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman.
The 2013 four-day event commenced on Tuesday with competition in Swimming, the Cycle Road race and some field events. The first ‘Nationals’ Championships was held in 1959 in Georgetown when the host captured the inaugural title.
In ideal conditions for outdoor sports and watched by students from several schools on the East Bank of Demerara area, the Lodge Secondary School students produced an energized physical display, while the Guyana Karate Association (GKA) give a skillful exhibition of Katas.
The North Ruimveldt Secondary School provided Steel Pan renditions including the National Anthem to start off the day’s activities.
The torch was lit by four members of the defending champions North Georgetown District after they completed running a lap around the Stadium.
Bynoe said that the GTU has already identified a number of Athletes who they feel should be in the Guyana team for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. The GTU top man opined that the Government and Sports Ministry should now bear some of the responsibility of getting the Guyana Olympic team properly prepared for Brazil. He added that the total expenditure to host the championships is about $23 million.
The Prime Minister, performing the role of President, who is abroad, delivered the opening address before declaring the event open.
“I express my appreciation to the GTU and the MOE who are once again partnering to bring off these important championships. A great deal of effort has gone into the organization of these championships which brings together the students from all over Guyana,” the Prime Minister expressed.

Defending champs North Georgetown District gives the ‘eyes right’ to Acting President Sam Hinds.

The Prime Minister pointed out that these championships provide a moment for all of the students to give of their best so as to bring glory and accolades to themselves, their districts and their regions.  He congratulated all the participants and urged them to compete fiercely and fairly to ensure that the best person, region or district wins.
Manickchand, who expressed her pleasure at being able to be part of the opening proceedings of this prestigious national sporting affair, pointed out that even though the Ministry is continuously working assiduously to ensure it provides the highest quality education possible to the children of Guyana. She added that it is also placing great emphasis on extracurricular activities, particularly sport which she believes plays a significant role in establishing well-rounded students.
“We are at a beautiful stage in the history of our country where – having ironed out many of the problems we had in delivering an academic curriculum, although we still work hard every day with that which we deliver – we are at a place where we can pay far more attention now to extracurricular activities that can bring out the best in our students,” the Minister said.
The Minister urged the participants to ensure they give of their best at this championship and to use the opportunity to move on to greater competitions and dominate. She alluded to the fact that Guyanese students have established themselves as leaders academically at the CSEC level after repeatedly topping that level and particularly winning five of the eight top regional prizes this year.

Lighting the flame to open ‘Nationals’

“We have seen repeatedly how Guyana has excelled academically, topping the Caribbean at CXC over the past decade and we have the ability, we have the talent to top in every single sphere in the region, not only in academia,” the Minister declared.
She also said discussions are ongoing between the Ministry and the GTU as to the best period to stage all the sports. The Minister disclosed that the Ministry has budgeted between $10-15 million for the event.
Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacqueline James also spoke of the importance of this championship to Guyana’s Olympic hopes in 2016.
In addition to Digicel, Guyana’s most used cell phone provider, Courts, Banks Malta, Giftland Officemax, and DDL are also on board as sponsors.