Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport in his feature address at the closing ceremony of the National Sports Commission Swimming Summer camp yesterday said that it was important for today’s youths to balance academics and sports. “Many students focus on academics as you see from the CXC results but
it is important to balance sports and academics,” he said whilst adding that he was elated with the success of the programme.
The programme, which commenced July 8 and concluded on Monday at Colgrain House, Camp Street, attracted 138 students who were under the guidance of Cuban Coach, Isabella Couso Fals and five local coaches.
Dr Anthony pleaded with the parents to lead by example by living healthy lifestyles, exercising for at least 30 minutes each day.
“When they (children) start out unbalanced they do not value the importance of things like sports and that is why we try to balance it at a young age,” Dr. Anthony said.
He said that he was confident that the youngsters will impart the skills learnt from the camp into their lives especially in the sport arena.
Looking ahead to the upcoming National Schools Swimming Championship in n November Dr Anthony exhorted the young swimmers to persevere in their quest to become champions.
“If you do not persevere then you will not be able to become a champion,” he declared.
He also touched on the National Aquatic Centre stating that the facility will be upgraded with a 25m warm up pool to be installed before the year ends.
“We have already paid Mortar Pools for the pool and within the month that pool will be shipped from Italy to come here to be installed and while that pool is coming in another week we will be signing the contract with a local company to do the foundation of that 25m pool,” he said.
Dr Anthony continued: “Hopefully, once that local company gets that contract by the end of the year they will be able to put in the foundation and we will be able to install this pool so by the first quarter of next year we can have that 25m pool up and running.” Neil Kumar, Director of Sport said that he thought the camp was successful.
“This is why we have programmes like these to prepare swimmers for the international pool we have here,” he said.
Kumar too urged the parents to continue allowing their children to participate in future camps declaring…“You never know your child might be a part of a national team.”
He challenged the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) to have more certificated coaches and complimented the coaches who worked with Couso Fals.
Meanwhile, Abraham Watson, Administrator of the NAC, in his report said this year’s Summer Camp was the largest they have had. Watson said that the swimmers learnt the basic techniques whilst performing swimming exercises during their sessions.
He also said that one swimmer, Sarena Razak, was promoted by Couso Fals to swim at the Aquatic Centre while 26 swimmers were shortlisted for a three-month training session.
