Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Irfaan Ali extended felicitations to Team Guyana on their outstanding performance at the recently concluded 11th International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) Pan American Championships.
According to a press release, Ali lauded the karatekas’ performance, singling out 31-year-old Natalie Gibson’s gold medal in the adult women’s kumite category. Gibson, a third degree black belt, is now hailed as the Pan American Women’s champion.
The release also said the team’s success is testament to local talent and discipline. “The success achieved stands as a testament to our people’s resilience and strong determination to overcome, in spite of the challenges and obstacles placed before us. It can be no coincidence that our nation’s recent sporting results continue to make us proud, testament to the capacity and potential of our people,” Ali said. The minister also heaped praises on the organising committee citing the “critical” role it played in the success of the games. Ali also took the opportunity to point out the government’s pledge to partner with the sporting fraternity.
The Championships, which were held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on August 14 and 15, featured participation of competitors from 12 countries from the Caribbean and North America. The competition saw the Guyana team emerging victorious with their haul of 44 medals, including 18 gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze medals.
