The 12 student athletes which were part of the historic eight-medal haul (four gold) at the just concluded Flow CARIFTA Games in Curacao will each receive full scholarships to the University of Guyana.
This is according to Director of Sport, Christopher Jones. Jones made the ground breaking announcement during the annual National Sports Commission (NSC) Award Ceremony and Dinner at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday evening, mere hours after the contingent returned from the host island.
Such an initiative had never been undertaken before for local athletes.
Said Jones “At this time, I wish to acknowledge and welcome team Guyana, who would have performed outstandingly at the CARIFTA Games in Curacao. As a result of their academic and sport achievements, there will be incentives in recognition of same as an encouragement.
I now ask team Guyana to stand. Because of your demonstrated dedication and achievements, the National Sports Commission has provided full scholarships to all of you to attend the University of Guyana,” Jones announced to the packed Savannah Suite.
The announcement continued the trend of historic feats during the past week. At the 46th edition of the CARIFTA Games which concluded on Easter Monday, Compton Caesar became the first Guyanese sprinter to win the marquee U-20 Boys 100m gold medal. He also sprinted to a bronze medal in the 200m final.
Guyana earned four gold, one silver and three bronze medals from Natricia Hooper, Chantoba Bright, Anfernee Headecker, Claudrice McKoy and Caesar. Samuel Lynch, Matthew McKenzie, Kenisha Phillips, Onasha Rogers, Tremaine Browne, Daniel Williams and Tarique Boyle are the other athletes who will benefit from the scholarships.
Prior to the award ceremony, President David Granger, welcomed the contingent of athletes with a hero’s welcome at State House after they raced into the record books.
“I am proud of what you did and I want to congratulate each of you” said the President. Granger then presented 2017 Independence Coins as a memorabilia to each athlete, joking that they will worth a fortune in the next 50 years.
