THE National Sports Commission (NSC) yesterday handed over a collection of sporting equipment, trophies and medals to four youth organisations in support of upcoming 50th anniversary events that the organisations will be hosting.At a simple handing-over ceremony held at the NSC headquarters on Homestretch Avenue the equipment was handed over by the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, to representatives from the four organisations, namely, the Aaron Blackman Athletics Club out of Bartica, Young Achievers Sports Club from Region 5 and the Buxton Arts Theatre, and William France’s Differently Abled Athletics Club from Region 4.
Jones encouraged the groups to continue in their pursuits, and noted that the work of the organisations goes towards keeping young people meaningfully occupied, and as such the Ministry of Sport and NSC are always willing to help towards such projects.
“In keeping with support for clubs, they would have written to us requesting trophies and medals and this is part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.
“So we would have made those available to them today. They are keeping the young people meaningfully occupied and as such the Ministry of Education through the Department of Sport will continue to lend support to them.” Jones remarked.
The trophies and medals for the Young Achievers will go towards the hosting of their annual awards ceremony, while the Buxton Arts Theatre and the Differently-Able Athletics Club will be hosting events this coming Sunday.
The Buxton Arts Theatre will be hosting a Fun Day and Cultural Extravaganza at the Buxton Playfield. The Fun Day will include activities such as cricket, football, basketball, dominoes, volleyball, a health booth and book drive. The cultural extravaganza will be in the evening.
A representative for the Buxton Arts Theatre noted that support is always a challenge for the organisation, so they are very grateful to the Director of Sport for the donations provided.
Meanwhile the Differently-Able Athletics Club, headed by amputee William France, will be hosting a 26-mile walk from Mahaica to the Independence Arch in Brickdam Georgetown starting at midnight.
Jones took the opportunity to note that it was no coincidence that one of the receiving clubs was a Special Needs organisation. Jones said, upon assuming office, he has always emphasised the need for support in sports for the differently able, as well as for women.
“Last year when I got into office I stressed the need for more funding and more support for female participation and that of the differently-able. Those funds were approved in this 2016 budget and so we’re continuing to fulfil support to those areas. However, not a lot of responses are coming in for those categories as yet,” Jones noted. He himself is expected to be present for the 26-mile walk tomorrow.
Additionally, Jones indicated that these four organisations have received assistance from the NSC to host events. A few weeks ago the Commission made donations to organisations in Region one, while plans are afoot to also make donations to organisations in Region 6 and Region 10 in the coming weeks.