Kaieteur Sport raps new GASA boss who is aiming to leave indelible mark

Apr 17, 2014 Sports

---

Swimming in Guyana has over the years been around like the other sports but really lacking that energized punch to achieve and attain its true potential. Guyana has been participating in a number of meets at the Caribbean level and further afield but is yet to really establish itself as a potent force.
It’s an uphill task to achieve given the many challenges facing not only swimming but sports across the board in the Land of Many Waters. Just a few months ago, Mr. Ivan Persaud, much more popular in the football fraternity took over the reins as President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA).

Kaieteur Sport took the opportunity to chat Persaud on his plans for the sport. Following is the interview.
KS – What is your vision for the sport having taken over the reins back in January?
IP – As President I will motivate the Executives of GASA. Mandate all affiliated clubs to provide an inspirational environment where all swimmers can learn and practice the values and qualities that will help them succeed in a healthy and safe manner and to be able to compete locally and internationally for Guyana, attaining the highest level of performance.
KN – What are some of the challenging areas you have pinpointed so far and how do you intend to correct same?
IP – There are so many challenges that we are faced with but let me highlight some of these so all will have an idea of what they are. Lack of enough qualified coaches and officials for training and competitions.
Athletes’ education and guidance to break into the elite stage; insufficient pool time (more hours of training needed); lack of comprehensive land training (physical fitness and appropriate personal plans for swimmers); funding (sponsorship for the athletes and the association); application of scientific information and training methods.
To help ourselves in order to be viable, we have planned a number of activities. In the months of July and August we have planned coaching and officials’ seminars as well as classroom psychology sessions for our top swimmers.
Ever since January, we have implemented obligatory morning sessions and implementation of selection criteria for National team swimmers (90% of training sessions). Our Head Coaches have been implementing the National team training programme which includes physical fitness and gym work.
We have been meeting with other stake holders especially the business community, NGO’S and well wishers for funding, equipment (stop watches, caps, goggles, t-shirts, track suits and training swim gear.
GASA will be hosting fund raising activities, at least once per month. We are also actively incorporating the application of the science of the sport including medical checks, nutritional checks, motor quality testing, training plans, updated coaching methodologies and athletes profiling.
KN – Finances have always been a major challenge for swimming let along the other sports in Guyana, what are your plans to ensure that corporate support is garnered for the sustainability of the sport?
IP – This is always a challenging area indeed, but we nonetheless have to try our best since without the finances, we cannot achieve what we set out to do.
We have already spoken with a number of entities for assistance but I believe that it would be premature to mention their names right now since we are still talking. We are very optimistic that assistance will come our way for our youths to really fulfill their true potential.
KN – Any short, medium or long term plan (s)?
IP – We have a Technical Plan that encompasses all of this and it has been sent to all the relevant persons and entities that we believe can help us implement same.
The GASA is really going hard at this and trying to leave no stones unturned to explore all different ways to make sure that swimmers achieve their potential at all levels. The plan also includes our parents and all technical personnel, all vital stakeholders.
KN – How active do you see our swimmers progressing at the various levels and what level of technical support is the GASA putting in place to see the holistic development of athletes with the requisite potential?
IP – I am not sure what is there for us as an association but we are going to lean on the Guyana Olympic Association, fundraising activities and what we can garner from sponsorship and well wishers. We had a very informative meeting with the Director of Sport – Mr. Neil Kumar and so far we are trying to maintain a very good relationship hoping that as we develop with the assistance already given (the pool at Lilliendaal) we will be able to attract more.

---

---