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Government committed to restoration of sports in schools
– Says Roopnaraine at NSBF Opening Ceremony
By Edison Jefford
Minister of Education with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, noted the decline in sport in schools across the country, and the commitment of the Government to bring about its restoration.
Minister of Education with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine (seated, second left) joins, from left) Mayor Hamilton Green, Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, Chris Bowman, GABF President, Nigel Hinds for a photo opportunity with NSBF Ambassadors and officials yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
It is in that context that the Minister lauded the efforts of Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) and their annual National Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF) at the Opening Ceremony yesterday for the week-long competition.
“We want much more enrichment than simple academic programmes,” Roopnaraine said, after he assured the gathering of school teams, head teachers, parents and basketball aficionados that monies allocated to sports will benefit the athletes.
He said that his ministry will commit to the establishment of mutual understanding with groups like YBG and others. He told the student-athletes that as a former notable cricketer, he knows a lot about the euphoria and excitement of competition.
Roopnaraine said that in his heyday, sports had a prominent place in school in all disciplines. He informed that his ministry will strive to restore that structure. “I want to encourage you to engage in fierce competition and may the best team win,” he concluded.
The NSBF is in its 10th year and as such YBG honoured St. Roses High School and Kwakwani Secondary for participating every year in the competition. In addition, Kwakwani’s Coach, Ann Gordon received a Lifetime Achievement Award while seven outstanding players were branded Youth Basketball Ambassadors.
One of YBG Directors, Chris Bowman urged the competing teams to play with the spirit and passion that got them thus far in the tournament. He informed that the purpose of the tournament is to build a foundation for the senior basketball programme.
“Basketball requires a lot of work to build a foundation; we can be part of this process to build a foundation; that is part of what we do. We are committed to working with the national federation in schools to see how we can build a better basketball structure,” Bowman said.
President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds accepted Bowman’s invitation to work together while imploring the Minister to set up a multi-sport academy that will serve the development of all sports.
“It’s good to see we are moving in unison; what we have recognised is that there’s a gap between senior players and what we have here. The time is now for our student-athletes,” Hinds indicated, adding that Guyana needs a student-based multi-sport academy.
Hinds recognised former national guard, Lugard Mohan who he said was “home grown and good as the world would ever get”. In addition, he noted that the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) is the zenith of basketball in the Caribbean.
The GABF President said all this to encourage the up and coming basketball players. He believes that it is important that athletes get the better part of the schools’ curriculum. “It’s very important that young athletes get all the support they can get,” he added.
Georgetown Mayor, Hamilton Green urged those present to join Government in what he called a “great crusade” to make Guyana the great nation it will be over the next two years. NSBF will be played this week in the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-19 male categories and one female group at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 2pm daily.
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