Life enhancing skills on cards as Fruta Conquerors youth holiday camp commences

Jul 22, 2016 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin

Five years ago, under the stewardship of then President, Wayne Forde and Secretary, Daniel Thomas, the Fruta Conquerors Football Club (FCFC) launched a youth programme at its Tucville Playfield to facilitate

the development of children of that, and adjoining communities during the August holidays. In actuality, the programme has been in existence for approximately 9 years but had not been as structured as the organizers would have wished and those modifications have been made some 5 years ago.
The programme facilitates children between the ages of 7-17 and introduces them to positive life altering skills. Potential footballers will also be tutored in the intricacies of the sport while the general idea is to create well rounded individuals. Over the years, this initiative has churned out droves of potential footballers but most importantly, has found meaningful activity for the participants thus keeping them on the proverbial ‘safe side of the law.’
Another August has rolled around and officials of the FCFC convened at the club’s Tucville Ground headquarters three days ago to launch the 5th edition of the programme.
Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, joined with President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde and Secretary of Fruta Conquerors Football Club (FCFC), Daniel Thomas and in his keynote remarks lauded the efforts of the organizers. He said he was indeed impressed by the initiative even as he urged the participants to diligently pursue their goals while using the camp as a basis of development. “Let me assure you that the government is fully behind activities of this nature as it aids in your development as well as keeps you on the safe side of the law,” Mr. Jones assured the youths. He then added strength to his words when he handed over a cheque, on behalf of the Government, of a substantial amount to aid in the liquidation of expenses.
Mr. Forde expressed gratitude to the Director of Sports and urged the youngsters to maximize on the opportunity and learn as much as they can even as they enjoy themselves. He noted that the programme was balanced as the participants, all aspiring footballers, are not only taught football skills but are also exposed to other areas that facilitate a rounded social upbringing.
Mr. Thomas was also excited with the initiative and expressed gratitude to the government for its continued support, “For the second year, the Government of Guyana has seen our programme as a worthwhile investment in our youth and has agreed to substantially fund a part of the budget,” he revealed. He then implored the participants to take advantage of the opportunity to develop themselves, “For the 9th year we have made it possible for you to be actively engaged in activities that are positive in nature and for which we seek to offer you programmes that will enlighten you and make you better persons,” he told the children.
He closed by thanking Mr. Jones and Mr. Forde for taking time out from their very busy schedules to be a part of the opening ceremony while expressing gratitude to the government for what he termed ‘a worthwhile investment in our youth.’
Indeed the programme is packed with interesting activities and the children have been promised that over the next three weeks they will be tutored on many issues to enhance their lives. Officials from the narcotics branch of the Guyana Police Force will conduct lectures on the detriment of drugs and substance abuse, while personnel from the University of Guyana will make presentations. One of those individuals, Yonika Rowland, a 3rd year law student, was at the location on Wednesday assisting with the task of organizing while expounding on discipline. Later on in the programme she will deliver a lecture on contractual agreements.
Other topics include peer pressure, changes in adolescence during puberty, self and self-esteem, gender and gender roles, the roles of referees and laws of the game and other areas of interest. Facilitators will be drawn from the Guyana Referees’ Association, Ministry of Social Welfare, and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) among others.
Sponsorship is extremely important and the organizers have expressed gratitude to those individuals and corporations that have made worthwhile contributions in this area. These include NAMILCO, Guyana Beverage Incorporated, The Guyana Football Federation and its President, Wayne Forde, Oasis Water, Prudential Technologies Incorporated, Scotia Bank, Digicel, Federal Management Systems, Maggie’s Catering Services, and National Sports Commission official, Lavern Fraser Thomas. “We would also like to say a big thank you to our volunteer coaches and the support staff who are offering tremendous support,” concluded Mr. Thomas.

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