Director of Sport hails another successful Easter Vacation Swimming programme

Apr 14, 2023 Sports

Kaieteur News – After almost ten days into the 2023 Easter Vacation ‘Learn to Swim’ programme it is easy to conclude that this year’s programme has been the largest, most successful edition thus far.

An initiative of the National Sports Commission (NSC) through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), which is aimed at teaching youths between the ages of 6 and 18 the basic knowledge on how to swim.

This year’s programme was extended to Linden and East Berbice as opposed to previous years, seeing over two thousand kids and at least forty coaches being engaged daily as they develop their swimming techniques.

The programme unfolded at the Watooka Swimming Pool (Linden), Albion Estate Pool (East Berbice) and also in Georgetown at the National Aquatic Centre and Colgrain Swimming Pool from April 3-15.

Meanwhile, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, during a brief comment stated that the annual initiative is indicative of the government’s resolute commitment to the development of the sports landscape via an encompassing approach. He explained, “The growth of the programme, which has witnessed a 200% increase from the previous iteration of 600 participants, underscores the government’s modus operandi in that the development of the sports sector should entail and be guided by a comprehensive blueprint.”

Students and coaches going through their paces at yesterday’s morning session

According to Ninvalle, the overwhelming success of this edition, will certainly serve as a clarion call for the expansion of the annual initiative, declaring, “The expectation is that the programme will eventually serve as a catalyst and conduit for the emergence of many Raekwon Noels, who historically clinched five gold medals at the recently concluded Junior Carifta Games in the Bahamas.”

He further said, “An adult’s variant of the present programme has also been conceptualized and will be conducted during the month of June, which further demonstrates the government’s exhaustive and extensive policy for the advancement and overall evolution of the sports ecosystem.”

Participants assemble for a group photo at Colgrain Pool

Kaieteur News met with a few high-spirited parents and guardians after the press briefing which was held yesterday at the Colgrain Swimming Pool; the general consensus is that they are pleased with the efforts of the MCYS and NSC to develop the sport of swimming in the country.

They also commended the coaches that are involved in the 2023 programme for their engagements with the kids and the general progression of the 2023 programme.

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Easter, Georgetown, Learn to Swim, programme, Vacation

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