At a simple commissioning ceremony at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue yesterday, the Guyana Volleyball Federation in partnership with the World Volleyball Federation (FIVB) opened the newly- refurbished volleyball court.
And President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation, Lenny Shuffler said: “Today we can now say with the partnership of the FIVB that we have got an international venue of standard equal to prepare and compete with the rest of the world.”
Present at the morning ceremony were Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Permanent Secretary Alfred King, GVF President Shuffler, Administrator of the National Sports Commission, Gervy Harry, Commander Flores and Lt. Commander Burnett of the Guyana Defence Force and a group of schoolchildren representing schools in the pilot project for volleyball development.
Minister Anthony told those present that they had seen a dream come through and he expressed his gratitude to the volleyball federation for partnering with the governing body in acquiring the upgrade to the facility’s floor.
This is part of the ongoing sports facility development programme that is being undertaken by the ministry, he added.
Shuffler in his brief remarks recalled playing on grass and other courts and having bruises and cuts on his skin. He noted, however, that today the technology has improved and in the developed countries the use of proper facilities has enhanced the performance of the players in the sport and this had placed Guyana at a disadvantage.
He stressed the need for the other sporting disciplines and those using the facility to respect, care and maintain the facility.
He disclosed that the sport ministry will be meeting with the federation to set guidelines for using and monitoring the facility.
