The National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal yesterday witnessed the largest turnout yet as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), launched their annual Easter ‘Learn To Swim’ Programme.
Over 2000 children, aged six to 18, registered online for the annual vacation programme.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the camp, Director of Sport and vice president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Steve Ninvalle, lauded the government for its support of swimming and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jnr., for the provision of 10 of 20 touchpads which will be installed shortly in an effort to boost the venue’s capacity to host regional and international events.
He also said that with such a large turnout, the NSC would be doing its utmost to ensure that adequate security was being provided for the young swimmers in their care.
“With such large numbers comes a large responsibility. The responsibility of the NSC is to make sure that although you have an enjoyable time learning this important life skill, we must make sure that each and every individual does that in a safe surrounding,” he told the eager young swimmers and their parents.
Ninvalle also spoke of the shift in the method of registration and the withdrawal of the registration fee which probably resulted in the huge turnout.
“We would have moved from having the paper trail with registration to having digital registration this year and that is because of the fact that those minds at the NSC have been collectively sitting, mapping out the way in which we can make it easier for you,” he declared.
Ninvalle also said that since last year, they have removed the need for payment at registration.
He also highlighted the fact that a new swimming programme that will come on board for adults.
“We have made promises and we have fulfilled all those promises. Come this summer we will have a programme aimed just for adults, so many of you parents can come forward and be a part of this programme. And this is what the government and the ministry are about…thinking about the big picture and it is about delivering to the masses,” he said.
NSC’s Commissioner, Cristy Campbell speaking of the increase in participants which has more than tripled last year’s turnout said: “We had approximately 600 participants at last Easter Camp and this year that number has tremendously increased to over 2,000 participants. So that in itself signals that parents are au fait with the work that we have been doing from the commission and the ministry,” said Campbell who is also a vice president of the Guyana Olympic Association.
“It also illustrates that parents are grasping the opportunities that we are presenting to improve the expertise and knowledge of our seasoned athletes and also create nurseries for new athletes to come up,” she added.
The training programme targets youths from the ages of six to 18 and is being rolled out simultaneously at the Colgrain Pool on Camp Street, Watooka Pool in Linden and the Albion Estate Pool, along the Corentyne Coast. Experienced national coach Paul Mahaica is the programme coordinator and lead trainer.
