Minister responsible for sports, Nicolette Henry, yesterday took the opportunity to re-emphasize the Ministry’s mandate to have sports become an integral part of the schools’ curriculum.She was delivering the feature address at the official launch of the 56th National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships held at the Ministry of Education NCERD Building.The championship is set for November 21st – 25th
The Minister shared her views that not only should sports and other extracurricular activities be made a fundamental part of the schools’ curriculum, but also be introduced at the earliest stage, even nursery schools perhaps, so that the athletes can reach their fullest potential.
“We cannot overlook having sports as an integral part of the school’s curriculum. Games and sports are an integral part of a student’s life, it is indispensable for all-round development. It is my firm belief that sports must be introduced at the earliest level if we really want to identify and train the best of our potential athletes in any sporting discipline,” the Minister said.
She admitted that much is lacking in the support given to Guyanese athletes.
“I believe it is high time that we give our athletes the attention and support they need in order to develop to their full potentials. A lot more needs to be done generally if we are to produce world class athletes. No one would disagree with me that we have the ability to produce world class athletes that have the talent,” Henry added.
During questioning the Minister stated that while the Ministry does not channel support specifically to athletes coming from this Championships, they nonetheless extend support to many athletes, some of whom may have also participated at this level.
“What you find is that an athlete might emerge from the Championships but might be an athlete that is involved in another championships, so how do I separate? If we provide support for [an athlete] I don’t know how I would segregate to say that they are exclusively related to this Championships. The Ministry’s purpose is to provide support and ensure that there are structural mechanisms in place, so that anyone who has talent that they can reach their full potential,” Henry explained.
Also at the head table were President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union, Mark Lyte, Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, Principal Assistant Secretary within the Ministry of Education, Glendon Fogenay, Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Edison Jefford, as well as representatives from the events chief sponsors, Banks DIH and Digicel.
Henry,during her speech also did not forget to laud the efforts of both Digicel and Banks for remaining stalwart supporters of the event. The sponsors in turn spoke of their job to be part of an event which promoted so many benefits among youths.
Lyte,in his speech reinforced that the organizers are committed to ensuring that the athletics component of the Championships is moved to the National Track and Field Centre for next year’s hosting.
It was somewhat a matter of dissatisfaction that this year’s Championships, of which the track and field competition is the most central component, is not being moved to the NTFC which houses an internationally recognized synthetic track.
Instead,the event will once again be held primarily at the National Stadium, with Cycling being held at the National Park and Swimming set for the National Aquatic Centre (NAC). Athletics were not being held at the NTFC since many of the athletes,that include under-8 children, will not have advisable footwear, and this was not budgeted for despite talks last year that the issue would have been addressed by this year.
Lyte,nonetheless (wanted) to see the event moved to NTFC, while other proposals such as splitting the competition into senior and junior editions are also still being considered. As it pertains to the overall standard of the competition,Lyte said that he believes that continuous improvements have been forthcoming throughout the years, though much more can be done.
“We are in transition and we recognize that we are not up to international standard, but it takes time for us to move in phases. We are moving in the direction to be an international competition, like the other international countries but it will take time, you don’t just wake up one morning. It’s been 56 years, but I think in light of what is before us we have been doing fairly well.” Lyte said.
Athletes for the event will be housed at several schools on Woolford Avenue.