The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (MoCY&S) in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) launched its Swimming Academy yesterday at the Aquatic Centre and used the occasion to introduce the $7 million state-of-the-art touchpad.
During the keynote address, subject Minister, Charles Ramson Jr. stated that the government continues to show its commitment to improving the lives and welfare of every citizen. He underscored the importance of the development process being intensified at the nursery level since it paves the way for structured growth and spotting of talent. The minister posited that the nursery level is the beginning of the envisioned progression to take athletes to an elite level.
Swimming is one of the 12 core sports identified by MoCY&S and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to benefit from the National Sports Academy Programme, the brainchild of Ramson Jr. The 12 sports are: athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, squash, table tennis, rugby, volleyball, swimming, football, squash, and lawn tennis.
The Swimming Academy is built on three pillars – Nursery, Tournaments, and Elite Training.
Ramson declared, “We want to improve our economic value so that we can be able to improve the welfare and the lives of every person in this country,” adding that the acquisition of the Touchpad is two-fold since it will be used to accurately time races at meets and also paves the way for Guyana to host international events.
“This critical bit of equipment was very important to help in the accuracy of recording races. With the acquisition of this piece of equipment which will pay for itself many times over, we will be able to bid and host international sports tournaments which will bolster sports tourism.”
The minister also disclosed that swimming will be included in the returning Inter-Guiana Games which will be hosted here later in the year.
Sourced from the USA, the Colorado Gen 7 Timing System is the gold standard in aquatic timing systems. The system is used around the world at championship meets and at the Olympic Games.
Understanding the need to enhance and develop sports in Guyana, the government through MoCY&S has invested in the latest version of this automated timing system. This investment brings cutting edge technology to the National Aquatic Centre with the installation of the timing equipment
GASA president, Dwayne Scott, stated that he was “proud and privileged to announce the two initiatives” and praised Minister Ramson and the NSC for the investments being made in sport. Scott informed that the academy will cater for more than 50 swimmers from as young as seven, with classes being held daily from 6:30am to 9am, and from 4:30pm to 7:30pm.
Prior to the keynote address, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle and NSC Commissioner, Cristy Campbell both commended Ramson for another excellent initiative to develop sport in Guyana. The pair also stated that the NSC and the ministry are arduously working together to deliver on promises to the betterment and development of athletes.
The core sports currently identified by the Ministry are: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Squash, Table Tennis, Rugby, Volleyball, Swimming, Football, Squash and Lawn Tennis.
