The dream to own her own racing cycle came through for 15 year-old female cyclist Selena Stephen on Tuesday.
The Bartica Secondary School student, who participated in the inaugural Bartica Cycling Challenge in March, had caught the eyes of Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) President Horace Burrowes during a determined ride that resulted in her copping third place in the female race.
As a result Stephen was promised a racing cycle to further develop her skills for the sport which she loves.
Last Tuesday, Burrowes made good on his promise when he made the trek to the Bartica Secondary School to present Stephen with the cycle.
Accompanying Burrowes was Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall and GCF Assistant Racing Secretary Joseph Britton among other officials. The GCF head also met with Natalie Stephen, mother of Selena to discuss continued support for the budding cyclist.
Stephen, who has competed at the National Schools Cycling championships in the past, expressed delight at finally being able to own her own racing cycle. In addressing the students at the Bartica Secondary School, Burrowes stated that the federation will continue to do all it can to encourage more female cyclists in the sport.
He said that he was pleased to see the response following the race in March.
“You guys have done well as you have taken up the challenge to form a new club. This is indeed commendable and I am confident that in the not so distant future, exciting female and male riders would be putting their hands up for national recognition from the town of Bartica.”
Burrowes also commended Marshall and his council for pushing the development of sports in the town and pledged the continued support of the GCF going forward.
Marshall in addressing the students, told them that he himself attended Bartica Secondary and challenged them be the best they can be and to be always being disciplined and to aim for the skies.
“Sports and education goes hand-in-hand and my advice to you is to pursue a sport of your choice and strive to be the best. At the level of the Town Council, we will continue to support your development by ensuring that you have multiple facilities of a high calibre to develop your skills and to one day represent this town and Guyana by extension as some of you have already done.”
One of the students present was national junior basketball player Emanuel Atherly who will be representing the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) at the 2019 Nike/FIBA Under-17 Development Camp in Puerto Rico, this July.
Also part of the function was David Van Lange who has accepted responsibility to be the Caretaker/Coach for young Stephen who will be vying to represent Guyana at this year’s Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships to be held in Bartica, August 10-11.
