-Giftland distributes gifts to top athletes in nationals
Star Party Rental has committed to sponsoring the Redeemer Primary’s football team as they prepare for next year’s finals, even as Giftland Office Max yesterday presented trophies and other gear to the top performers in the just-concluded National Schools’ Championships.
According to Proprietor Lennox Cush when the team’s coach proposed that he sponsor the team he was pleased to come on board “because I liked the level of football the school played” at the recently-held Courts Schools Pee Wee Championships. Cush said sports have always been a part of his life and he has always wanted to contribute to its development. “Knowing (a) few of my friends came out of Redeemer also inspired me,” he said, adding that he knows the combination of sports and academics will help to mould the boys’ futures.
Meanwhile, Redeemer’s Coach Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell said he was grateful for the sponsorship. “I want to thank Mr. Cush for his gesture, for the gear he has given the school. The gear will encourage the boys to move from strength to strength to become one of the top schools in football”. Barnwell said the boys have returned to training as they intended to make it to the finals next year. Team member Shamar Dover also extended gratitude to Cush on behalf of the head teacher, coach and players. The boys received a donation of uniforms, boots, socks and shin pads.
The schools championship was organized by Petra Organisation which is headed by Marlon Cole and Troy Mendonca. Mendonca said they aim to secure sponsorship for all 16 teams that participated in the championship. Sponsorship has already been provided for Tucville, St. Gabriel’s and St. Pius primary. The drive to solicit sponsorship started after many of the schools were unable to outfit their players with football gear.
Meanwhile, Giftland Office Max yesterday honoured its pledge to provide running shoes to the top eight performers in the recently-concluded 52nd Edition of the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships. The athletes also received trophies from the company.
The eight athletes who benefited from the donation are under-14 winners East Coast’s Samuel Jordon and Upper Demerara Kwakwani’s Cassey George; under-16 winners East Coast’s Jason Yaw and Upper Demerara Kwakwani’s Kelanie Griffith; under-18 winners North Georgetown’s Kevin Abensettes and Upper Demerara Kwakwani’s Shannon Griffith and under-20 winners North Georgetown Stephan James and Georgetown’s Ebony Nelson. George, Kelanie Griffith, Abensettes, Shannon Griffith, James and Nelson were on hand to receive their gear.
Colin Bynoe, President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union expressed his gratitude for the gesture. “On behalf of the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers Union we would like to say thank you to Giftland for not only making the athletes happy but preparing them to go to the other level.” Bynoe also said he hoped that other companies would make similar contributions not only to students but also to the development of the schools’ championship.
Giftland’s Public Relations Manager Compton Babb said that the company is pleased to be associated with the schools’ championship.
