Latest update November 23rd, 2024 12:12 AM
Schools’ C/ships preparation well on stream
– countdown to event starts as Districts send in teams
Officials from the Ministry of Education, Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the corporate community converged at the National Stadium yesterday to update the nation on the preparations for the biggest schools’ sport event in Guyana.
Among the representatives from the major stakeholders was Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Education, Phulandar Kandhi and GTU President, Colin Bynoe, who both dealt with several key elements relative to the staging of the event.
COLLABORATING FOR SUCCESS!!! From left Giftland OfficeMax’s Marketing Executive, Compton Babb, Mak-C Brand Manager at Ansa McAl, Marco Kreuter, Digicel’s Events and Public Relations Manager, Shonnett Moore, Permanent Secretary with the Ministry of Education, Phulandar Kandhi, Head of the Physical Education Department of the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser, Guyana Teachers’ Union President, Colin Bynoe, Demerara Distillers Limited Brand Manager, Alexis Crawford, Principal Assistant Secretary-Finance at the Ministry of Education, Reginald Brotherson and Banks DIH Brand Manager for Non-alcoholic malts, Clayton McKenzie during a photo opportunity.
The 50th National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships will be held at the National Stadium, November 9-12. Kandhi and Bynoe covered most of the administrative and logistical aspects of staging the mega competition.
Administratively, Kandhi told the media that every key agency, inclusive of the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Police Force and the Regional Health Office has been informed of their role and is aware of the requisite support for these Championships.
“What I can tell you is that the Management Committee’s work to have all these critical areas of these Championships managed properly is well on stream. We have been meeting regularly with those agencies about this great event,” Kandhi indicated.
He said that the sponsors, Digicel, Banks DIH Limited, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Giftland OfficeMax and Mak-C have shown great initiative in stepping forward with support. According to Kandhi, that is a trend that should grow in the future.
“We had Digicel contributing in a major way and we officially hosted the handover for DDL’s sponsorship where Gatorade became the official athletes’ drink for the Championships; we also had the Banks DIH contributing,” the Permanent Secretary noted.
He said that he is still optimistic that the Olympic-sized Swimming Pool will be ready, but that the Championships was planned with an alternative, Castellani Pool, from the beginning and it is also likely that the Swimming competition could be held there.
Kandhi referenced the production of the commemorative magazine, stating that, in 50 years of the championships, the magazine will capture both the nostalgia and future of the Championships that will definitely attract patronage from larger society.
In addition, he informed that among the new and innovative methods to make the Championships larger and better will be the renowned Kashif and Shanghai’s management of food vending and parking at the National Stadium.
President of GTU, Bynoe, indicated that 15 of the 16 Districts have so far submitted their entries to the Games Secretariat. He said that the Digicel-sponsored medals and trophies have already arrived in Guyana and will be handed over today.
“The schools are ready, the administrators are ready and we are all set to host these Championships. If you look around, you will see the hard work that is going into making these Championships truly special,” Bynoe told the media.
Tucville Primary and Secondary Schools will house the female athletes while North Ruimveldt Multilateral and East Ruimveldt Secondary will house the male athletes. Together, these schools will be the official Games Village for the Championships.
“Like we had the surprise with our sponsors, we will have many surprises with our Opening and Closing ceremonies for these Championships,” Bynoe said, adding that he does not want to let all out the bag just yet, urging patrons to support the event.
Tickets have been placed within schools throughout Guyana and are also available at GTU on Woolford Avenue and the Ministry of Education 21 Brickdam. Tickets will also be sold throughout the Championships at the National Stadium.
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