The Region Five administration on Monday presented $600,000 to four student athletes who were selected to participate in the Guyana Teachers’ Union/Caribbean Union of Teachers Athletics Championships in Jamaica.
The children, Bretley Joseph, of Hopetown Primary and Kayla Carmichael, of Lachmansingh Primary, would be competing in the under-eight category events, while Shikeia Frantzen, of Straathcampbell Primary, and Delicia Harper, of Bush Lot Secondary, would compete in under-12 and under-14 events, respectively.
The children were selected based on their outstanding performances at the last Ministry of Education/Guyana Teachers’ Union National Schools’ track and Field Championship. They also underwent a few days of training in Georgetown for the upcoming event.
Harper holds a record in the under-14 1,500 metres event. Described as a “very good distance runner,” she had copped gold medals for that event and for the 800 metres.
Frantzen won a gold medal for the under-12 400 metres and Joseph copped a silver medal for the 600 metres.
Regional representative Joyclyn Sears told Stabroek News that the children would join others from around the country to represent the GTU.
She was extremely grateful for the contribution from the region because GTU had invited the parents to a meeting and told them they would have to sponsor their own children to go. The parents could not afford the cost for travel and approached persons for help. Sears and other executive sports members also sent letters to organisations and to the regional Education Department for assistance to offset the children’s expenses.
She also expressed special thanks to the Naarstigheid/Union and the Woodlands/Farm Neighbourhood Democratic councils, the Basil Bazilio Foundation, Wilfred Mc Almont and family, Mohamed Tufail, Dr Kester Sullivan and the Hopetown and Lachmansingh primary schools.
During the handing over, Regional Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth acknowledged the efforts by the children in meet the regional stage and he encouraged them to continue to excel and make Region Five proud.
He also urged them to “put your best ability forward” while recognising that “not everyone can bring first.” He promised that the region would continue to support their activities.
Regional Education Officer Owen Pollard noted that “education is not all about academics but sports is important” to make them well-rounded.
In his words of encouragement, Regional Executive Officer Ashford Ambedkar told the children that “Region Five is proud of all of you.”
He told them that “going to Jamaica is one thing but running on the track that Usain Bolt [Jamaica’s top athlete] runs on is an accomplishment by itself.”
Referring to the substantial donation to the children, Joseph told the officers that it was “one of the best days of my life; something like this has never happened.”
She did not expect that amount and said “it came as a real surprise.” She applauded the region for the “positive change.” The parents were also grateful to the region for helping.
