Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn has suggested that there is a need for the promotion of the martial arts discipline within the Guyana Police Force.
Benn made the remarks Saturday after the GPF teamed up with the Guyana Mixed Martials Arts Federation (GMMAF) to launch an Academic Training Programme at the Officers Training Centre, Auditorium.
Minister Benn, in emphasizing the need for the programme, said that it was necessary the force moves to promote improved discipline and non-lethal means of disarmament.
According to a release from the GMMAF, the launch was attended by several officials and sponsors. Also present were Calvin Brutus, Deputy Police Commissioner (Ag), International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Caribbean President Jason Fraser, Mohamed’s Enterprise owner Nazar Mohamed, and Pamela Massiah of Beharry Restaurant Holdings Incorporated.
The launch was viewed digitally by IMMAF President Kerrith Brown.
GMMAF Boss Gavin Singh thanked the respective stakeholders for providing the platform for the implementation of the programme within the GPF, adding that education plays a pivotal role in the advancement of the discipline.
Fraser highlighted the growing impact of the sport in the region and praised Guyana for its role as a leader within the Caribbean community in the elevation of the discipline.
Mohamed affirmed his company’s commitment to the sport and its local development, adding that the programme will create another sporting avenue for Guyana.
Following their historic participation in the IMMAF World Championships in UAE in January, Guyana will feature at the Pan American Championship slated for Monterrey, Mexico from June 22nd-24th. Six athletes from Phoenix Jujitsu, Guyana Police Force, and 3-Ryu Karate Club, are under consideration to be selected to compete in the tournament. The final roster will be announced shortly.
Guyana made its international debut at the IMMAF Amateur World Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in January 2022.
