Let’s swim for Gold

Sportsview by Neil Kumar

It is most encouraging to see the Guyanese government making state-of-the-art facilities available to the sporting fraternity and for all Guyanese.

However, it is frustrating to see some unjustified and unsigned letters in the press making unreasonable criticisms of heartfelt efforts by dedicated Guyanese sports personalities.

Recently the Stabroek News published a letter under the caption, “When will the Aquatic Centre be opened?” I challenged the writer, to come forward. I would like the public to know that, even with our limited resources, the national swimmers are currently using the facility at Lilliendaal.

Further, the spanking new facility was only recently used by an eminent diplomat to give lectures and prepare youngsters in water polo training.

Our national swimmers had access to the pool since early last year after the pool was completed. The swimmers were training for the Inter-Guiana Games and other international events. Presently our top swimmers are training at the National Aquatic Centre.

However, some parents, prompted by certain prominent, persons, are guilty of expressing, appallingly fabricated, negative opinions because they were asked to be discipline and set good examples to our young swimmers.

I will go against my personal wishes and refrain from embarrassing those false accusers by revealing their names to the public. The writer of the aforementioned letter is no stranger to us. However, we must be bold and intelligent enough to make constructive criticisms. The guard stated that she was never questioned by anyone regarding such matters. She further went on to explain that the swimmers are training regularly in the mornings and in the evenings.

I must inform our readers and members of the swimming fraternity that we are in the process of employing persons with the necessary skills who will make a difference and help to further develop swimming in Guyana.

The Government of Guyana is committed to working with the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association towards cultivating maximum benefits from our swimming facilities.

We will work with the Swimming Association and, no lesser person than the President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association Mr. Alex Graham convinced us that we will plan and work together for the best utilisation of the facility.

Mr. Graham and other senior members of the association are prepared to work together so that our swimmers can benefit from all our facilities. I am heartened by the fact that no lesser person than the President of the Swimming Association accepted that the Aquatic Centre is opened and our swimmers are the beneficiaries.

The water-polo training is conducted twice every week. Only a few days ago the National Sports Commission held a fruitful meeting with a diplomat who is giving his services free of cost. Today, we must accept the harsh reality that swimming was dead in the past. It is the PPP/C Government that opened-up the various swimming pools around the country and assisted in the resuscitation of the Guyana Swimming Association.

The construction of the Aquatic Centre was a bold step in the interest of swimming. The government is in the process of putting systems in place to build the warm-up and warm- down swimming pool. The construction of that pool will enable Guyana to sponsor and host reputable International ‘Meets’. Further, the Sport Ministry will be employing highly skilled persons to uplift the standard of training and administration.

We need clubs to become stronger and more disciplined. The Swimming Association must develop short, medium, and long-term developmental plans for the growth of swimming in Guyana.

Our coaches must be given access to schools so that they can motivate students to join clubs and get involved in competitive swimming. Parents must also get fully involved in their children’s sport activities. The goal must be to win Gold medals at the Olympics. Later this year, our young swimmers will be tremendously motivated as they follow the London Olympics Games.

Our swimmers must be prepared to qualify, and win medals at the Brazil Games in four years time.

It is our participation at the Goodwill Games that gave us exposure to International ‘Meets’. Guyana is the Land of Many Waters. Our swimmers must achieve greatness by dominating the water sport.

Come on Guyana Amateur Swimming Association; let’s work together for Gold in swimming.