Hundreds of eager parents and children braved the blistering sunshine yesterday as the 2024 edition of the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Teach Them Young Swimming Programme was launched at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.
Present at the launch were Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., and Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle.
In his remarks to the gathering, Ninvalle said that he was happy to see such a large turnout.
“For the last three years, we have been building on something that has been the product of the minister’s vision. This year, we will be adding persons with disabilities to the programme as we seek to expand and be inclusive.”
Additionally, Ninvalle touted the potential for the NSC to hold a course for lifeguards. “We have had over 7,000 people involved in these activities, and over the years we have not had one mishap. We want to assure you that we will ensure that it continues.”.
Longstanding swimming coach and the man responsible for the pulling off of the Teach Them Young programme, Paul Mahaica, also came in for high praise from the Director of Sport. “I applaud the work that has been done by Paul Mahaica and his team. Those are the people who are working tirelessly in the background to ensure standards are upheld.”.
Meanwhile, in his feature address, Minister Ramson Jr. noted that the government is “making an investment in the children who will go through the program.” He also challenged the parents to advance their children’s interests through dedication and support.
Ramson Jr. also engaged in some exercise drills with the children, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
While the programme was launched yesterday, it will officially commence on Tuesday (March 26).
The programme, which had its rebirth in 2022 and is free of cost, has evolved into a national policy and is tailored to children and individuals aged 18. The programme will also cater to individuals with disabilities, further extending its scope of importance and impact.
It will be held at four facilities, which are the Aquatic Centre, the Colgrain Swimming Pool, Georgetown; the Watooka Swimming Pool, Linden; and the Albion Estate Pool, East Berbice.
In excess of 7,000 individuals participated in 2023, which also encompassed the novel Adult Learning Programme. More than 12,000 participants have utilised the programme since its rebirth in 2022.
