By Kiev Chesney

Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport yesterday morning officially declared open the fifth annual swim camp at Colgrain Pool.

The camp is a collaborative effort between Dr. Anthony’s ministry and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The programme which has registered some 102 participants mainly from the outlying communities in addition those from within George-town, began on Wednesday, although yesterday was the formal opening ceremony.

Dr. Anthony said that he was impressed by the relatively large number of participants at this year’s camp and informed the participants how beneficial active involvement in physical activity could be towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

He also encouraged the participants to take up competitive swimming and reminded them that there will soon be an Olympic-size swimming pool where they can seek to improve their performances in the sport.

Facilitator of the programme, Stephanie Fraser, said that they have had smooth sailing on the first two days of the programme which concludes July 30.

She added that the organizing committee of this year’s event targeted persons who would not usually have access to a swimming pool.

“This year’s programme is aimed at targeting persons who would not usually have access to a facility so we gave preference to applicants from out of town and we have got tremendous responses.

“We also invited persons from the Ptolemy Reid Rehab centre who will be using this to fulfill their physical activity component as well as persons from impecunious communities to benefit for the event which is totally free,” she said.

According to Fraser, this year’s camp will teach persons to swim as well as demonstrating water safety and life saving techniques by trained instructors and some of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association’s (GASA) top swimmers.

The camp continues for the rest of the month on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to noon.