… Banks DIH, NSC, Minister Norton express optimism of success

OVER 100 students, drawn from 50 primary and 50 secondary schools from eight districts around the country, will participate in the inaugural National Skip to My Lou – Jump Rope Team Championship, which is set for Thursday, September 28, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs.
The ‘Skip to My Lou’ Jump Rope competition originated in Linden and the realisation of the national tournament is a promise kept by Director of Sport Christopher Jones and the National Sports Commission (NSC), as well the foundation sponsor Banks DIH under their Coca Cola brand.

AS per competition rules, each team will comprise five jumpers, who will be able to participate in Individual Freestyle, Individual Single Rope/Double Dutch Teams and Last Man Standing.
“Jump Rope (Skipping) is a physical activity that has experienced a great deal of growth in the school system since its introduction to Guyana through the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education in 2010,” said Dr George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion and who also holds the portfolio as the Minister responsible for Sport.
Dr Norton was speaking at the launch of the event yesterday at his ministry’s boardroom on Main Street, Georgetown.
According to the minister, “There is no doubt about the fact that this competition has numerous benefits, one of which is the fostering of Social Cohesion. Participants will be able to develop better interpersonal skills through interaction with others from various educational districts. At the same time, the competition will allow for the students to engage in team-building.”

“It is our aim to very soon have a well-established National Jump Rope Federation in Guyana. With such a body in place, we will have jumpers to participate at world class competitions such as the Pan-American Jump Rope Competitions and the International Double Dutch League,” said Norton.
Troy Peters, Communication Manager at Banks DIH, told the gathering that this company is happy to play its part in the growth of the event, reflecting on their sponsorship of the Schools Jump Rope competition in Linden, which has grown to become one of the main attractions among schools in the Mining town.
Jones thanked Banks DIH and Dr Norton’s ministry for helping to bring his commitment to light; one he made to Lindley Langhorne in Linden this year.
The Director of Sport said that through the NSC and the ministry, he will ensure the longevity of the championship; a commitment which was welcomed and echoed by Banks DIH.
The NSC ensured that Guyana, for the first, participated at this year’s World Jump Rope Championship and Camp, July 1 – July 10, at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. Shavin Green and Mackenzie High School student Adriell Wilson were Guyana’s representatives.
“Hosting a national championship is something that we aimed for and I want to thank the Minister, NSC and especially Banks for making this possible,” Green said at yesterday’s launch.

Green told the media that the competition will allow for the growth in the sport, and also help to spot Guyana’s future representatives for next year’s World Jump Rope Championship.
Minister Cathy Hughes and her Ministry of Public Telecommunications also came in for high praise, being named as one of the sponsors of the event, through the E-Governance unit.
The Public Telecommunications Ministry donated two laptops as part of the prizes offered for the top performers.