All across the country, thousands of youths have benefitted from a variety of sporting activities offered during the August vacation, as part of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s initiative to keep youths positively engaged.
Youths from areas including Linden, Georgetown, East Coast and East Bank of Demerara and Mahaica participated in softball, chess, cricket, volleyball, table tennis, circle tennis, track and field and cycling, among other disciplines. At the same time, they had the opportunity to interact with other young people of similar age groups.
They were taught peer education, physical education and how to be disciplined, and were exposed to road safety tips and the effects of drugs and alcohol usage.
The activities will encourage youths to have a positive attitude towards sports and a genuine interest in various sporting disciplines would be developed.
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, in a recent interview with the Government Information Agency stated that more than 210 camps were held around the country and much emphasis was being placed on sports, as the Sport Ministry is committed to its promotion.
He added that more sport camps will be opening today in Linden, Region Ten, and Region Four, and will run for two to three weeks.
Kumar said he was surprised at the level of support youths received from their parents, as well as their respective communities.
The National Sports Commission recently held a cycling camp for youths to learn the art of cycling and to influence those who wish to become professional cyclists.
Government is continuously placing emphasis on youth development in the country, and has provided many interventions to enhance their lives, both mentally and physically.
The Youth Ministry had initiated these camps since 1998, and to date, has trained over 13,000 youths in a variety of skills during the August holidays, including taxidermy, anthropology, arts and craft, painting, poetry, singing and dancing. (GINA)