– ‘Pioneers’ hailed following successful CSEC golf programme

By Clifton Ross
MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, deemed the first batch of students who chose golf as part of their CSEC examinations with outstanding passes, ‘Pioneers’, as they were recognised during yesterday’s historic presentation.

The Guyana Golf Association (GGA) held its first official post-CSEC ceremony at the Scouts Association ground, Woolford Avenue yesterday with Minister Ramson delivering the feature address to the 116 students from across secondary schools in Guyana.

The Certificates of Achievement were also presented on behalf of the Office of the President, as the Minister stated on behalf of His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, that he was proud of the achievements of the students.
Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore, a national golf champion and former national cricketer, gave brief remarks to those in attendance. Mentore said the importance of sports and academics was invaluable as a result he himself was a success story and product of both worlds.

He explained that students must embrace golf as a sport as it helps to build immense discipline and self-focus. During his address Minister Ramson congratulated the ‘Pioneers’ of the golf programme and trendsetters for the rest of students to come.

“Guyana is going places it’s never been before”
A former cricketer himself and a golfer in his own right, the minister weighed in on the importance of balancing academics and sports, adding that following his time at University levels, he still maintained a good physical extracurricular regime, something he said is another huge quality of life.

“I love golf, but I also love all sports. Golf is perceived as an elitist sport and we have to change that in Guyana because other parts of the world are starting to change perception,” said the minister who wants the sport to be opened up to all classes of society.

Highlighting the bigger picture, Minister Ramson urged the students to not focus on just passing the examination, rather he urged them to place heavier emphasis on the role they play in the overall development of sports and local athletes.

In the end, the minister congratulated GGA president, Aleem Hussain, for his hard work and effort, along with the help of the Government of Guyana through the ministries of Sport and Education,
Hussain thanked Minister Ramson for his support shown behind the golf fraternity and presented him with a fully customised golf kit, equipped with bag and clubs.