… Teachers now certified to train as part of Physical Education

THE Leonora Track & Field Complex last Tuesday hosted some of Region 3 teachers, Education Officers and representatives of the Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit, as part of the ongoing Guyana Golf Association (GGA) schools programme
The session was hosted under the theme ‘Train the Trainer’, and teachers were certified to teach the sport to more than 2 000 students in the coming year and to enable them to write the subject as a Physical Education sports elective in 2022.
The session was made possible through the efforts of Mr Ulric Charles, Sports Coordinator for Region 3 who received full support from Regional Executive Officer Mr Jainarine Somwar and Regional Education Officer Mr Devendra Persaud, Mr Lindley Langhorne, Allied Arts Unit and the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Culture that provided the Leonora Track & Field Centre for the training.

The secondary schools in attendance were West Demerara, Vreed-en-Hoop, Patentia, Leonora, Uitvlugt, Zeeburg; Endeavour and Commons, Essequibo Islands, Leguan, L’Aventure, Vergenoegen and Parika-Salem.
District Education Officer Ms Barnes said, “The Education Department of Region 3 is in full support of this programme and we see keen interest from our students as the sport opens many, once-closed doors of opportunity for them. More than ever, Guyana needs programmes like these to develop the minds and focus of our future generations.”
The GGA president expressed thanks to Ms June Ann Gonsalves, Assistant Chief Education Officer Secondary Schools and Allied Arts Unit headed by Ms Lorraine Barker-King for their support and guidance in the development of the sport in the schools. The Education Department provides the teachers for training and the GGA is supplying all the equipment, balls, and training support.

Ms Gonsalves stated, “The discipline and integrity that golf brings to our kids, especially in the schools that normally have no access to such a top sport give us great hope for the prospects of developing a strong national team from areas that normally don’t have great opportunities.”
District Education Officer Mr Doobay spoke about the importance of sports and training in physical Education saying, “I see this programme as a perfect complement for the teachers who needed some support. Everyone benefits from such an initiative and we are looking forward to making Region 3 a major factor in the sport.”
So far, with 51 schools in Regions 10, 6, 4, 3 and 2 participating, the GGA has provided over 5 000 students with the opportunity to experience one of the most exciting sports that is fully COVID-19 compliant.

“While golf has been played in Guyana for more than 50 years, it is only under the guidance of the Guyana Golf Association that it has really reached the general public. A year ago, Guyana had less than 100 persons who were active in the sport, However with the addition today of Region 3 schools, we will surpass 5 000 active players,” said GGA president Aleem Hussain.
With brand ambassadors such as Assuria General Insurance, Copa Airlines, H. Nauth & Sons, CIDI Blue Life Waters, the Shafura Hussain Foundation, AR Printery, Trophy Stall, Maraiko Bay Resort even the late Colin Ming, on board, Hussain said he wants to dedicate time to having more facilities erected around the country.
Meanwhile, GGA will host a series of inter-school tournaments that will then lead to a regional competition, from which a national team will be selected to represent the country. (Clifton Ross)