The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport made good its promise to the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) and five boxing gyms at a simple ceremony on Friday at its Main Street office, Georgetown.
The sum of $50,000 was given to the GASP for the first prize of its National championships which will be held over a period of three days from May 26 at the Malteenoes Sports Club pavilion.
Collecting the money on behalf of the GASP was Moen Gafoor, president of the association who lauded the ministry for delivering the first prize as promised.
Minister Dr. Frank Anthony mentioned that while they will continue to support the GASP in their future endeavours, he would like to see the game being expanded at the school level and his ministry will take the challenge to the Ministry of Education to make sure that this was done.
He added that Scrabble was a game that can teach mental toughness and as such it will go perfectly with education.
A promise was also made to the GASP of several boards so that they too can help in getting students involved in the sport.
Meanwhile the Forgotten Youth Foundation, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Pocket Rocket Gym and the Timehri Young Warriors boxing gyms were all given a quantity of boxing gear to aid in the development of the sport in their respective areas.
Minister Anthony said that his ministry saw the need to help the sport based on what he saw whilst travelling around the country.
Guyana gained a bronze medal at the 1980 Olympic Games through boxer Michael Anthony Parris and Dr. Anthony says that they would help to preserve the sport’s rich history.
Representatives from the gyms praised the ministry and stated that the gear will go to good use since it was very expensive for them to go out and purchase.
