Sport Ministry supports boxing, scrabble

May 23, 2009 Sports

Pocket Rocket Gym, coach, Orlan Rogers (second right) receives his set of equipment from Minister Dr. Frank Anthony.

Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport Dr. Frank Anthony’s office was a hive of activity when he presided over two important presentations which were made to the Scrabble and Boxing fraternities yesterday.
Also, in attendance was Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry Steve Ninvalle and representatives of the respective recipients.

The Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) President Moen Gafoor collected the first prize of $50,000 which was donated by the Ministry towards the National Championship, while representatives of five boxing gyms namely the Guyana Defence Force, Forgotten Youth Foundation, Timehri Young Warriors, Pocket Rocket of Berbice and Harpy Eagles, all received a quantity of equipment that included head guards, cups, mouth guards, gloves and boxing boots.
Dr. Anthony speaking at the occasion commended the Scrabble Association for doing a splendid job in keeping the sport alive.

“We would like to see scrabble extended into the schools and across the country since it could help to build intellectual competence,” he remarked.
Dr. Anthony said that the Ministry is willing to work with the Association to get the game into the schools, something similar to what they did with the Chess Federation.
“Our support could take the form of the procurement of boards for the schools,” the Minister pointed out
He added that one of the main thrust of the Ministry is to strengthen the values and attitudes of the youths so that they can take those ideals into adult life.

Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (fourth left) makes the presentation of the first prize for the National Scrabble Championship to GASP President Moen Gafoor.

Gafoor speaking on behalf of GASP thanked the Ministry for its support over the past three years, where they’ve always presented the top prize. “We sincerely hope that the relationship between the two parties can continue and grow into a much stronger and more supportive union.”
Meanwhile, in the presentation that followed, Ninvalle, who was instrumental in urging the Minister to assist the gyms after being approached, revealed that the Ministry’s help is just the first of many more contributions that will be made to the boxing fraternity.
Dr. Anthony stated that the donation represents an expression of the Ministry’s interest in boxing and it was done after a careful assessment of the needs of the gyms.

“I know that Guyana had a strong tradition in boxing and I would like that to continue, but to do that we need to invest in the sport,” the Minister outlined.
He said the intervention though modest, can go a long way in assisting the gyms to help develop the sport and once again produce excellent boxers.
The Minister urged the coaches to utilise the Resource Centre, which will be available shortly, to improve their techniques of training so that they could move the sport to the next level, and to do so they have to think about equipping themselves scientifically.
Terrence Poole, Sebert Blake and Orlan Rogers all made responses on behalf of their respective gyms.