Two kayaks and related safety equipment were yesterday donated to the community of Malali by the Guyana Canoeing Federation (GCF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS).
The kayaks, a type of canoe that is propelled with a double-bladed paddle, were accepted by a member of the Malali community, Frank D’Oliveira, in a presentation ceremony on the lawns of the MCYS yesterday.
Oliveira, who will be responsible for managing the kayaks in the community, spoke about the benefits he hoped the boats would bring to the community, particularly since a resort was being constructed in the area and one of the major activities would be canoeing.
“Well I can’t say if it’ll make a big impact, but it will make an impact. I can’t say if it will go far but this is a start. It will really enhance the community and bring a lot of benefits,” D’Oliveira said.
“We have a project in the community and it is mostly canoeing that we will be promoting so it’s a much appreciated donation.”
Minister Dr. Frank Anthony in his address stated that the ministry was very pleased to be a part of promoting the sport. Anthony stressed that they were hoping that this was only the initiation of the sport in the community and its development would persist. “We’re doing this as a pilot exercise and if it goes good we are looking to have the other communities develop this, collaborating in such a way that would enable the sport to develop,” Anthony stated.
Federation president Maurice Amres told Stabroek Sport that about 15 canoes were donated to the GCF from the ruling international body, the International Canoeing Federation.
The canoes were brought by a canoeing coach who had come to Guyana early this year to conduct coaching sessions. Two canoes have already been donated in Linden, Santa Mission, and one was donated to Splashmins. The GCF was instructed to donate the canoes to associations or communities where they could be appropriately utilized.
“He advised us to leave canoes at varying areas. But when we leave them we are not only looking to leave the canoes for children to just play in, we leave it with responsible persons,” Amres said.
