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Ministry of Social Protection donate footballs
Coach Gilbert’s ‘Back Road’ clinic the beneficiaries
By Sean Devers
If you pass on the ‘East Back Road’ in the afternoons you are likely to see the dreadlocked Football Coach Sampson Gilbert hard at work with several children from ages 6 to 15 from the surrounding areas on the Roxanne Burnham
Probation Officer Joel Gibson hands overs one of the balls to Coach Sampson Gilbert at the Roxanne Burnham Gardens playfield yesterday.
Gardens playfield but yesterday’s session was slightly different from the usual.
The enthusiastic youngsters including one female footballer was told of the importance of staying in school and acquiring an education, the ills of peer pressure, staying focused on their goals in Society and being a role model in Society.
These words of wisdom were presented by Probation and Social Services Officer, Pamela Atwell and Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Debra Joseph. Atwell told the young people that even if some might not be academically inclined, there were schools they could attend to learn a trade since even if they become famous footballers and they score four goals in a match the media will want interviews and if they stay in school and take in their education they will be ready for anything in life.
Probation Officer Joel Gibson, himself a former footballer, said he was inspired to organise assistance for the group of mainly underprivileged youths after seeing them training when he passed on the ‘Back Road’ in the afternoons.
Atwell noticed that some of the children did not have football boots and promised to assist. She stressed on the importance of what is taught in the Churches, Mosques and Temples, Schools and most importantly, in the homes.
Gibson emphasised the value of discipline and respect for Teachers, Peers, Referees and Coaches if they wanted to be successful in football and life. Coach Gilbert collected the donation of balls for his private programme while Elijah Newton received balls on behalf of the Roxanne Burnham Gardens group. Both donations were made by Gibson who informed that similar programmes were done in other areas including Sophia and Albouystown.
Also present at the simple ceremony and handing over of the balls were three key members of the Roxanne Burnham Gardens Development Council; it’s President Juliet Julian, Vice-President Winston Bentham and Secretary, Lynette Roberts.
Coach Gibson told the gathering that he has spent all of his adult life helping talented youths develop not only football skills but life skills which could keep them away from crime, violence and other social ills.
”I was just like these kids when I attended the St John’s College as part of the Class of 1982. I remember being involved in football in form three and how the game helped to change my life. 1980 was International Year of the Child and our school which won the second division competition qualified for the Demico Division One league in Georgetown” revealed Coach Gilbert.
Gilbert, who joined Pele FC and later played for Fruta Conquers soon got into Coaching because of his love for helping others improve.
”It is nice to have these ceremonial presentations but I need the support of Government and other entities to help with these kids since they need a lot more than a few balls and motivating words but I believe this is a great start and hope it continues” said Coach Gilbert, in thanking the Ministry’s representatives for their kind gesture. Gilbert is the Guyana Football federation Technical Development Officer of Georgetown.
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