GPA in collaboration with the MoH holds Sports Medicine Seminar for local coaches

THE Guyana Physiotherapy Association (GPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), yesterday held a Sports Medicine Seminar for local coaches drawn from across Guyana.

The seminar which was held at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue, attracted coaches from various disciplines who were all happy to have been a part of the day’s activity which some (coaches)said would benefit the athletes at the end of the day.
In brief opening remarks, Director of Sport Neil Kumar welcomed the thought of the GPA to hold such a seminar, stating that in the long run, local athletes stand to benefit from their coaches’ knowledge as they will be more edified with what is required of them to avoid and/or treat injuries sustained during training or competition.
During his address, Kumar issued a call for sports associations to work closely with the GPA and to engage their services for the betterment of their athletes.
The Director of Sport noted that injury management is very important and this is why such seminars are needed.
He suggested that the seminar should be an annual one and committed the National Sports Commission’s unflinching support for such an activity.
Kumar suggested that such an activity “could be held in each county of Guyana and every region” and his ministry will lend its support.
He said he is looking forward to Guyana establishing a Sports Institute, from which coaches, athletes and administrators will benefit.
The coaches, Kumar said, need to work closer with their charges, since the latter need to know about warm-up exercises as well as nutrition which play an integral part in any athlete’s career.
President of the GPA, Ariane Mangar in delivering her opening remarks stressed the need for coaches to be educated about the prevention and treatment to injuries.
Beverly Nelson, one of the tutors at yesterday’s seminar, in stating the objectives of the seminar, endorsed Kumar’s sentiment about coaches’ knowledge of what is required of them, since the athletes need to be educated and the coaches are the ones to educate them.
She said the GPA has a healthy relationship with some associations, but there are others that never requested their (GPA) assistance.
Topics covered during yesterday’s seminar included: warm-ups, flexibility, stretching-importance, methods, benefits, practical examples, nutrition and supplements; recommendations for sports, the importance for proper equipment in sports and hydration (importance, consequences of dehydration and recommendations for hydration).

(By Michael DaSilva)

 

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