AFTER seeing the need for improvements and seeking assistance from its parent body, the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF), headed by Lenny Shuffler, has demonstrated the true sense of partnership with the FIVB. At a simple commissioning ceremony at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue last Thursday morning, the rehabilitated floor of the National Gymnasium which cost $12M was commissioned by Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony.
Also present at the commissioning ceremony were Shuffler, MCYS’ Permanent Secretary Alfred King, Administrator of the National Sports Commission Gervy Harry, Commander Flores, Lt Commander Burnett of the Guyana Defence Force and a batch of schoolchildren representing schools in the pilot project for volleyball development.
In his brief remarks, Shuffler related his past experience in playing on grass and other courts where he suffered bruises and cuts on his skin, saying the technology has improved today, wherein developed countries use proper facilities to play the sport of volleyball, which have enhanced the performances of the players in the sport and have placed Guyana at a disadvantage.
“Today we can now say with the partnership of the FIVB that we have got an international venue of standard equal to prepare and compete with the rest of the world,” said Shuffler
He stressed the need for the other sporting disciplines and those using the facility to respect, care and maintain the facility, adding that MCYS will be meeting with the GVF to set guidelines for using and monitoring the use of the new facility.
In his remarks, Dr Anthony told his audience, “We have seen a dream come through” and expressed his gratitude to the GVF for partnering with their governing body in acquiring this upgrade to the facility in the floor.
“This is part of the ongoing sports facility development programme that is being undertaken by the Ministry and we have seen over the past year that in disciplines such as volleyball, basketball and table tennis, major improvements in facility, training and equipment have taken place.”
He added that over thirty table tennis boards were distributed across the country and another forty are on the way from India. He spoke of the communities that have received in their schools multi-purpose courts which he stated will enhance the community and the school.
Noting that another sport discipline (chess) is improving, he mentioned the not-so-popular sport has now been introduced into the school programme and a national chess tournament will be run off next month.
In concluding, Dr Anthony said his ministry will partner with the Ministry of Education to execute the national sport programme.
He made mention of a new service which will be offered to the sporting disciplines regarding slashing of grounds, which will be free of cost, compliments of the MCYS and these disciplines need to make contact with the ministry for the service.
The national volleyball Inter-Guiana Games female team and a youth team from the West Demerara area displayed some skills before the small-size crowd who witnessed the commissioning ceremony.