THE ‘Jump Rope’ phenomenon will take centre stage today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall today, when over 100 students, drawn from 50 primary and 50 secondary schools in eight districts around the country, compete in the inaugural National Skip to My Lou – Jump Rope Team Championship.

The Skip to My Lou – Jump Rope competition originated in Linden and will take place today from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs, thanks to the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ministry of Education, National Sports Commission (NSC) and long-time supporter Banks DIH under their Coca Cola Brand.
As per competition rules, each team will comprise five jumpers, who will be able to participate in Individual Freestyle, Individual Single Rope/Double Dutch Teams and Last Man Standing.
Dr George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion and who also holds the portfolio as the Minister responsible for Sport, said, “There is no doubt about the fact that this competition has numerous benefits, one of which is the fostering of social cohesion.
“Participants will be able to develop better interpersonal skills through interaction with others from various educational districts. At the same time, the competition will allow for the students to engage in team-building.
“It is our aim to very soon have a well-established National Jump Rope Federation in Guyana. With such a body in place, we will have jumpers to participate at world class competitions such as the Pan-American Jump Rope Competitions and the International Double Dutch League,” said Norton.
The NSC ensured that Guyana, for the first, participated at this year’s World Jump Rope Championship and Camp, July 1 – July 10, at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. Shavin Green and Mackenzie High School student Adriell Wilson were Guyana’s representatives.
According to Green the competition will allow for the growth in the sport, and also help to spot Guyana’s future representatives for next year’s World Jump Rope Championship.
The Ministry of Public Telecommunications also came in for high praise, being named as one of the sponsors of the event, through the E-Governance unit.
The Public Telecommunications Ministry donated two laptops as part of the prizes offered for the top performers.