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MCY&S commissions modern all-weather outdoor volleyball court at Corentyne
By Leon Suseran
The Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport through the Guyana Volleyball
The group of officials and players on the new volleyball surface.
Federation commissioned the first all-weather outdoor volleyball court at Port Mourant, Corentyne recently. Attending the commissioning was Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony; President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation, John Flores; Agricultural Manager, Albion Estate; Mr. Hutton Griffith; Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Imran Ally; Region Six Chairman, Mr. David Armogan; Vice President of the Berbice Volleyball Association – Mr. Godwyn Allicock; Berbice Volleyball Association President, Mr. Gregory Rambarran, and scores of residents and volleyball players.
This project was spearheaded by the Guyana Volleyball Federation through a grant from the International Volleyball Federation through the South American Volleyball Federation. The fully rubberized surface and court is located at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground.
The court was assembled by students attached to the GuySuCo’s Port Mourant Training
Dr. Anthony unveils the plaque at the new court.
School under supervision of the VP, Mr. Allicock.
Mr. Flores, in giving an overview of the project, said that Berbice was the chosen venue for such a facility due to the heightened awareness of volleyball in the region. With the help of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the GVF was able to clear the portable court – free of duties. Prior to the laying of the rubberized court, a concrete base was constructed. Dr Anthony urged the players to take good care of the court, because it was very expensive to build.
Flores also explained that in January 2014 the GVF received a correspondence from the IVF that they were willing to provide the outdoor court.
Dr. Anthony during his address said that Berbice has, “…a very proud record of producing a lot of national volleyball players.” “One of the ways we can see that continue is that we have to get more facilities…the IVF want us to have volleyball more in Guyana and so, one of the things they are going to be doing is to give us more volleyball nets…”
The Minister alluded to a meeting with Mr. Flores where a request was made for such a
The newly set up volleyball court at the Pourt Mourant ground.
facility. After discussions, it was decided to establish the court in Berbice. “We must move away from the perspective that sports is just recreational,” he said. The Minister added that there are careers in sports and fosters social cohesion. “Sports and culture are two common things we can identify with,” he highlighted.
Minister Anthony pointed out that sports is also a multi-billion dollar industry. “It is therefore important that we produce sportsmen and women who can represent Guyana internationally,” he posited.
Berbice, he asserted, has a rich history in producing, “The best cricketers and that legacy still continues today.” However, he cautioned that outstanding sportsmen and women must also be produced in the other disciplines.
The Minister lauded the GVF for their efforts which also include a nursery programme which attracts many youngsters. The GVF was also instrumental in training teachers across Guyana about volleyball.
Dr. Anthony disclosed that there is a master plan in place for the continued upgrade of Albion Ground. The intent, he stated, is that international cricket can return to Albion in the near future.
While touching on the other sports facilities such as the 50m and 25m pools and the National Stadium, Minister Anthony announced that on April 17 the National Athletics Track will be officially commissioned.
Remarks were also made by Mr. Griffith; Mr. Armogan, Mr. Ally as well as Mr Rambarran, after which the plaque was unveiled and a group photograph was taken.
Special thanks was expressed to major stakeholders who ensured the success of the project, including FIBV, IVF, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports; GuySuCo; Region Six Administration; PMTC; BVA; Port Mourant Cricket Club; Banks DIH; Universal Solutions; D. Balram Shane & Sons; Rams Auto Supply; Imran & Sons and Daughters Store; Spready’s Bakery and members of the media.
After the commissioning, Dr. Anthony served the first ball on the new surface after which an exhibition volleyball match was played. It should be noted that the BVA will hold its first official match on the new court tomorrow. All volleyball clubs and teams are invited to the competition, classified as a ‘B’ Division competition.
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