Latest update February 10th, 2025 7:48 AM
Monetary incentives up for grabs in HIV/AIDS initiative
From left: Dr Frank Anthony, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and representative of the Cycling Federation, Hector Edwards
In an effort to heighten HIV/AIDS awareness, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport has teamed up with the Ministry of Health to train cyclists to become peer educators through a venture which could see one individual gaining as much as $200,000.
At a press conference Friday, jointly hosted by Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, it was revealed that the Ministries in collaboration with the Guyana Cycling Federation will be hosting the annual Tour Guyana cycle race.
It was disclosed that the event, which will be held under the theme ‘Riding for life 2’, has as its objective increasing awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among participants and the general public; increased HIV/AIDS activism and volunteerism among the participants, and inspiring them to become ambassadors in the fight against the dreaded virus.
According to Minister Anthony, the race, which comprises five stages, will cover 226 miles and will serve as a good opportunity for persons to be sensitised along the way.
The Minister explained that the venture has a very strong health component since it focuses on the issue of HIV/AIDS and the underlying problem of obesity, and these issues can be aptly addressed.
“We thought that using sports to get people to become active will also help with these problems in our society and so we thought cycling is a good mode of doing so.”
This move, according to the Minister, will become a signature event on the cycling calendar and it will be hosted on an annual basis.
And since cycling involves the participation of many people, it is expected that health messages could be adequately disseminated to the public.
“We have been in active discussion with the Cycling Federation to do a race from Georgetown to Lethem or even go across the Bridge, and this has been on our cards.
It has been more than a year in planning… “
However, next year, plans are on stream, according to the Minister, for the cycling route to be from Georgetown to Brazil.
He pointed out that the collaboration between the relevant parties could lend to the whole question of sports medicine.
“Sometimes when our athletes are not properly prepared, you can have tragedies on the court and in the field. And therefore, since sports medicine is in its infancy in Guyana, I think if we collaborate in that way, this is something we can easily rectify.”
Minister Ramsammy, meanwhile, stressed that his Ministry is pleased to be associated with the cycling venture, and expressed that it is commendable that the Ministry of Sport has embraced such an undertaking.
He explained that it was last March that the Ministry of Health had sought the assistance of the Sport Ministry to host the largest ever cycle race in Guyana with the largest prize money, an event which was undertaken last November under the theme ‘Riding for life 1’.
“We are using the vehicle of the Tour Guyana race to educate people and make them more aware of health…not just HIV, but health in general. In particular, though, HIV is going to be the focus,” the Minister asserted.
As a result, he noted that all of the participating cyclists will be trained as peer educators and will therefore be engaging members of the public before and after the race.
It is estimated that 60 cyclists, including about 20 from the Caribbean, will be taking part in the event, which is slated to commence on November 6.
They will be judged in overall categories of youth and veteran categories and the overall winner will be eligible for a cash prize of $200,000.
The race which will kick off in Corriverton and is expected to conclude on November 9 at Homestretch Avenue.
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