Latest update January 30th, 2025 6:10 AM
Latest News
The Pool is for all Guyanese -Kumar
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, boldly uttered to members of the media yesterday morning in a briefing at the Carifesta Secretariat that the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) is a facility for all Guyanese.
Kumar sought to clear the air about matters concerning the pool in addition to clarifying issues about the Colgrain Pool.
It was clearly stated by the Director that the NAC and Colgrain Pool are the only two pools that fall under the supervision of the Sports
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar during the briefing about the pools yesterday morning.
Commission, “We are urging other pools around the country to be put to the public use. When I became the Director of Sport, none of the pools were operating properly or were available to the public,”
Kumar went on to say that a Guyana Amateur Swimming Association was not established at the time, but representation was made to Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who then made the Castellani Pool accessible through the Office of the President, available to the association.
In relation to the utilization of the Pools, Kumar reported that the pools are public ones, but are administered by the NSC and Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport which have rules to ensure that they are used and regulated properly. “We are very strict with how we operate the pools.”
He noted that over 1500 persons use Colgrain Pool, a computerized pool which operates from 6am-8:30pm on a monthly basis, “Four registered clubs use the pool two times a week for two hours, the Special Need School from the East Bank, an Orphanage from Plaisance, other persons with disabilities and PYRG use the Pool. Two swimming classes for beginners and two adult classes are also conducted at the Pool under the direction of the Japanese Swimming Coach.”
Kumar further stated that the NAC is fully utilized by Guyana’s elite swimmers, informing that “you have to be strong swimmers to swim at the Aquatic Centre, we do not have the warm up pool where beginners or individuals who are in the initial stages of swimming could swim. This pool calls for professional swimmers.”
Commenting on the procedure to gain access to the Colgrain pool, Kumar said that interested individuals can simply apply for its use, while in respect to the Aquatic Centre, Kumar said that he is very meticulous since there are no lifeguards presently to supervise use by persons.
He added that they are in the process of training lifeguards, but until then he will remain careful since he does not want to be held responsible for any mishap, “I want to make it clear, this pool belongs to Guyanese”.
The warm up pool for the Aquatic Centre which was surveyed according to Kumar will cost $75 million for construction, while other infrastructural work including the installation of lights to brighten up the facility.
In closing, Kumar revealed that they will be looking to host the swimming segment of the 2014 Junior CARIFTA Games.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The third parties will not survive this year’s elections
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The fate of third parties in this year’s general and regional elections is as predictable... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
