Minister Baksh tells young athletes to ‘reach for the stars’
THE 50th Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guyana Teachers Union (GTU)-organised National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships got under way yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, where Minister of Education Shaik Baksh urged the young  athletes to ‘Reach for the Stars’.
“All of you have to do that. You will be faced with stern competition over the next four days. We need to see strong opposition along with good camaraderie among you the athletes at this historic championships, which is one of its kind in the Caribbean.”
Minister Baksh had earlier stated how fitting it was to have the championships held at such a venue in which a lot of investments have gone over the years.
“To host the championships here at the Guyana National Stadium speaks volumes when it comes to investments, since the Government has been investing in you the students over the years, starting with the introduction of Physical Education and Sports as a subject in CSEC.
This is one area in which the Government has been investing heavily in sports – a subject being written in CSEC and CAPE that has a pass rate of 98% up to today and we are very proud of this, as it shows our investments are paying off.”
Minister Baksh urged the athletes to put in their best efforts and at the same time showcase their physical prowess and best talent as they strive for success, with a view of representing Guyana in the years ahead in the respective athletic discipline they chose.
Prior to Minister Baksh declaring the championships open on behalf of His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo who had other engagements to attend to, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) Dr Frank Anthony disclosed his expectations to the athletes.
“First of all, let me congratulate both the GTU and the MOE for reaching such a commemorative milestone together. This is the perfect example of what the word ‘teamwork’ can achieve, as long as the parties involved are willing to work together.
This is indeed a milestone event and as we cast our minds back, we would see the effect this event has on Guyana’s sportsmen and women, as many persons have graduated from this event to represent Guyana in the Caribbean and the world at large,” stated Dr Anthony.
He continued: “When we look at sporting events in Guyana, certainly this championships is the largest of them all, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the MOE and the GTU and with that in mind, I expect to see high standards and new records established while you the athletes adhere to the customary code of fair play and discipline.
The MCY&S expects close collaboration between MOE and GTU as we look towards the further development of sports, such as cricket, football, table tennis, swimming, basketball and athletics just to name a few in the schools.
Thanks to you, Guyana has a bright future in sports and I am very proud that we have all collaborated to make this 50th championships the success it has been so far and I wish every record is broken, which would make it more memorable.”
Regional Chairman of Region 4, Clement Corlette, congratulated the students who did well at CSEC and CAPE, making their teachers and parents proud, while stating that the 50th year of the championships is a very important milestone.
GTU’s president Colin Bynoe lauded his organisation and its sports committee for the marvellous work put in to make the championship a success story.
Prior to the brief remarks, all the Districts participated in a march past, from which District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) were declared the winners over District 6 (Corentyne) and District 7 (Bartica) respectively, with each of the three frontrunners being presented with a trophy.