DIGICEL (Guyana) Sponsorship Manager and former national athlete Gavin Hope feels that his success as a sportsman was gained through his parents’ contribution.
Speaking at the just concluded Guyana Table Tennis Association’s (GTTA) national schools tournament, which his company sponsored, he highlighted the turnout of parents to support their children, which he felt was overwhelming.
“Parents must show support and encouragement to their children’s development in sports, since this will enable them to perform to the highest level comfortably, knowing that the closest person outside their coach is their parent,” said Hope.
Hope was at that time delivering some brief remarks at the Police Officers’ Mess last Saturday, where the GTTA held a presentation ceremony for players and schools who excelled in its just concluded tournament.
Present at the presentation ceremony were GTTA president and Commissioner of Police Henry Greene, (DSS, DSM), General Secretary and national men’s champion Godfrey Munroe and Director of Sport within the National Sports Commission Neil Kumar, along with other special invited guests and participants.
Hope urged parents to also work with their children’s academics, sports and other activities to enhance a rounded and healthy child as well. He said the need for more programmes involving youths in Guyana must be a priority and on the agenda of sport associations.
Hope, who was an athlete back in his heyday, excelling in both the 100 and 200 metres before turning his attention to hockey where he has represented Guyana amicably, gave kudos to his parents who stood by him throughout his performances while guiding him through his successful path.
Today, he has in turn offered that same support to his children, being there for them as often as possible in the field of sports, academics and health education, since he himself would like to see them turn out to be well-rounded individuals in society.
Table tennis, he added, has been the most improved sport over the past two years in Guyana and the numerous new talents that have unfolded in the sport are a strong testament to same.
Hope said Digicel was very grateful to be associated with the GTTA and to a wider extent, the development of sports in Guyana where are numerous new and youthful talents being exposed and vowed to continue doing so in the future.
He concluded that the GTTA will continue to have his company’s support in future tournaments, while encouraging the younger players to practise for longer periods, since this will aid them to be more adept at their chosen sport.