The Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division on Sunday hosted a fun day for youth groups from across Berbice at the Skeldon Sports Club ground.
According to a press release the fun day was organized by Assistant Superintendent of Police ‘B’ Division Stephen Mansell. Youth groups from areas such as Belladrum, Hopetown, Cumberland, West Canje, New Amsterdam, Eversham, No. 68, Skeldon and Crabwood Creek participated in sports and other activities.
Commander of ‘B’ Division, Clinton Conway in declaring the sports open urged the athletes to be sportsmanlike and disciplined in keeping with the values of their clubs. He told Stabroek News that the police were proud to resuscitate the Police Youth Clubs as they can keep youngsters off the streets, away from drugs, away from crime and encourage them to pursue meaningful activities.
Conway said too plans are on stream to enroll the youths in academic and skills training programmes at the club level. At a time when the crime rate is escalating he said that encouraging youth involvement in clubs could help them to see and represent the cause of the police force over time.
Club leader Edwin Garnette told this newspaper that his Skeldon Club had been in existence for four years and that they had never before been given the opportunity to meet club members from other parts of the county.
Garnette said activities like these will unite and motivate the youth and that this is the best thing that had happened “in a long, long time.” Another club leader Eon Thompson said a number of members had left his Hopetown club because it hadn’t had enough activities on its roster but with the new skills training programme, he believes many will come back and desist from liming on the streets.
Meanwhile, Mansell said he would like to see the event hosted annually. Although some participants were given trophies, he said that the activity is not about winners or losers, but about participation.
