CONGRATULATIONS must go out to our young and inspirational Jessica Stephenson, who captured gold medal at the recently concluded Junior Carifta Games. Our young swimmers are indeed showing tremendous interest in their sport. They have seized the opportunity presented to them and are fully utilising the improved facilities and world class coaching that have been made available to them.
The Japanese coach, Kumiko Imuzuka, a senior volunteer from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has developed a thorough work plan and she is working resolutely to implement her developmental programme.  Kumiko is at present conducting two classes for children four times a week.
Her adult classes are also overcrowded.  Her uncompromising work ethic and meticulous nature have earned her the praise and respect of the swimming fraternity.
The partnership established between Kumiko and our local coaches has been a remarkable learning experience for the local coaches and one which will certainly be of immeasurable benefit to Swimming in Guyana.
Colgrain Pool:  Approximately two thousand persons are using the Colgrain Pool on a monthly basis. Four registered clubs are training at the Pool twice per week. The Special Needs School, the Bosco Orphanage from Plaisance and the Autism School/Ptolemy Reed Centre also conduct sessions at this facility. The PYARG Youth Initiative Membership also uses the Pool two times a week.
Over fifty patients from various medical institutions including the Georgetown Hospital regularly use the pool for Water Therapy.  Several schools around Georgetown are stakeholders and they are conducting “Learn to Swim” programmes which will encourage and motivate, the children from an early age to develop positive attitudes and be exposed to a sport discipline which can be developed as a hobby or profession.
It is amazing to see the emotional interest and time invested by parents and teachers and their tremendous involvement during the sessions.
The Colgrain Pool is in operation from 06:00hrs to 20:30hrs every day. There is little time available for cleaning and keeping the pool in perfect condition for the stakeholders. This situation is engaging the attention of the ministry.
Most of the other sport disciplines are also making use of the pool. Our cricketers, footballers and boxers, just to mention a few, actively engage in special training sessions.

Aquatic Centre
Our elite swimmers are exposed to this international facility everyday from 05:30h to 07:30hrs and in the evening from 17:00hrs to 20:00hrs.
The development and expansion of the Water Polo Training Programme has been most encouraging and all indicators point to a successful future for this programme.
The Cuban coach Isabel Maria Couso Fals is extremely busy and she has a thorough programme as she is preparing our swimmers to peak for the Goodwill Games, to be held in Guyana in August. Isabella is training our international and elite swimmers and she is very optimistic about our young swimmers’ chances to medal internationally.
The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association and the National Sports Commission are working to keep our swimmers fully focused and are preparing them for the challenges they will face at international meets.
Extension Programmes will soon be conducted in Linden, Berbice and other areas around the country. These programmes will ensure that people all across Guyana can reap the physical and mental health benefits that swimming provides.
We must promote a healthy lifestyle for all Guyanese and the Extension Programmes will be a great step in this direction.