After two weeks, some 2,270 children between the ages of six and 18 from all across Guyana are now equipped with life-changing swimming skills after successfully completing the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Annual Easter ‘Learn to Swim’ programme.
The programme, which began on March 26th, was held at four locations across the country: the Aquatic Centre and the Colgrain Swimming Pool in Georgetown; the Watooka Swimming Pool in Linden; and the Albion Estate Pool in East Berbice. The programme, which was headed once again by longstanding coach Paul Mahaica, saw experienced trainers put the participants through their paces. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the tournament yesterday at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, was Director of Sport (DoS) Steve Ninvalle, who hailed the success of the programme while commending Coach Mahaica and his team for a job well done.
Ninvalle also congratulated the participants on their completion of the programme and urged them to continue working hard in the discipline.
He also called on the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) to do more in promoting the young swimmers and pointed towards the recent success of athletics at the Carifta Games as a goal to work towards. Notably, only one swimmer, Aleka Persaud, participated at the Carifta Games Swim Meet in the Bahamas, despite a number of other Guyanese swimmers qualifying for the games.Meanwhile, Coach Mahaica, in his remarks, noted the profound change in some individuals over the course of the week.
He revealed that there were some people who were afraid to even put their faces into the water who could now swim properly without fear. He also announced that the adult programme will commence on May 4.
The programme, which took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, was reintroduced in 2022 and is free. It has developed into a national policy under the NSC and is tailored to children and individuals aged 18 and under.
Last year’s programme saw an astounding 7,000 individuals taking part, and according to the NSC, more than 12,000 participants have utilised the programme since 2022.
