The Director of Sport and the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association

Dear Editor,

I am the supervisor who overlooks the administration of the National Aquatic Centre and the Colgrain Pool. The Director of Sport received correspondence from Dr Karen Pilgrim dated January 20, 2012 requesting the use of the Colgrain Pool and National Aquatic Centre for competitions.  The Director, Mr Kumar, told me to put systems in place for the smooth running of both events.  As usual that was done.

On Wednesday, February 1, 2012 the Director of Sport invited the Swimming Association to a discussion for us to work towards the further development of swimming and to formalize our relations in respect to the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association using the two facilities.

Because of the attitude displayed at the meeting by Mr Alex Graham, the Director decided to write the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association a letter asking them for information that will lead to a formal relationship. He requested a work programme and the GASA calendar of activities.

Mr Graham in a letter alluded to some article in a section of the press, accusing Mr Kumar of not giving them information about a foreign coach and further making the wild allegation that Mr Kumar had held clandestine meetings with swimmers. Mr Graham is a stranger to the truth.

The letter from Mr Kumar which was sent to Mr Graham was uplifted at the Guyana Olympic Association office and it would be interesting to know when he read the letter.  To date, he is still to reply to the Director.

It is sad to hear and read that the Mashramani ‘Meet’ was cancelled.  First of all the executive members who are really responsible for the activity never heard from the Minister, PS or the Director that permission had not been granted.  Let them tell the public about the successful meeting that they had at Colgrain Pool after the same letter they had written on January 20, 2012.

The public must note the fact that the day before the second event Mr Graham was talking about it being too late to get sponsors for the activity.

However, I am here at the National Aquatic Centre and I would like to say that Mr Kumar must be very annoyed with all that was said by Mr Graham.  However, I am fully aware that other executive members of GASA and parents apologized to Mr Kumar and they are prepared to work with him.

Yours faithfully,
Abraham Watson