On Friday officials from the Ministry of Education – Unit of Allied Arts, Regional Education Department, National Sports Commission, Regional Democratic Council and Youth Basketball Guyana, all came together at the Leonora Secondary school for the launch of Region (3) school basketball Pilot.
Officials and students at the opening of the Region Three Basketball programme
It was a day of many firsts for basketball. It was the first time that a school team from the Leonora Secondary played in a formal basketball game. It was the first that two secondary schools in that Region would face each other in friendly competition. It was also the first time that two Georgetown school teams played a basketball match in that Region. And there are sure to be many more firsts.
Speaking at the launch in front of a very enthused and excited Leonora Secondary school population was the Head of the Physical Education Unit of the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser, who chaired the proceedings as Master of Ceremonies. He outlined the objective of the Pilot Program and the long term intended goal- which is to see the game of basketball integrated into the school’s Physical Education program which will culminate with a CSEC Physical Education and Sport programme.
Also making remarks was the Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Arjoon, expressing on behalf of the Region his appreciation and great delight that school basketball has come to Region 3. He said, the event shows that young people in the Region have a keen interest in sports and healthy living and emphasized the many positive benefits that could come from such activities.
Douglas, Education Officer, Regional Education Department shared similar sentiments while expressing that Physical Education and sport play a key role in the development of personality.
Gervy Harry, Administrator, National Sports Commission speaking on behalf of the Director of Sports, said how please they were to see the extension of school basketball to Region(3) and will continue, as the main arm of the Government of Guyana, with the responsibility of Sports Development to support and strengthen such efforts.
Lorriane Barker-King, Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts Department touted that Unit’s accomplishments regarding the expansion of Physical Education and Sport in schools of Region #3 and expressed the Unit’s commitment to its mandate. She gave high praise to Mr. Robens Horace, Physical Education Officer, who spearheaded this initiative which in essence was a follow-up to a basketball vacation camp organized by the Physical Education Department. The vacation camp was executed at the West Demerara Secondary school during the July/August vacation break.
The Unit of Allied Arts facilitated both pilot schools; Leonora West and West Demerara Secondry with improved facilities- basketball goals, balls and other equipment. While Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) assisted with the marking of surface, technical support and administration of the games.
Fay Gittens, Head Teacher, Leonora Secondary school, returned thanks to all involved and promised that her school will make full use of the facilities provided, even as she appealed for further help to improve the condition of the school’s playfield to better occupy and harness the energy of the larger student population.
Following the officials’ remarks, two exciting friendly games were played.
The first was between Georgetown arch rivals St Rose’s High and Marian Academy, who showcased their athleticism and high skill levels to a very excited host. The game ended in Marian’s favor 40 to 33 points.
Marian Academy, Jahleel Young, top scored for his team with 12 points, with support from Jether Harris and Akili Haynes 5 points each.
St Rose’s High School’s Quacy Roberts and Anthony Yansen scored 17 points and 11 points respectively.
The main game saw a low-scoring encounter between the pilot schools Leonora Secondary and West Demerara Seconndary. Leonora used the energy of their boisterous supporters to ensure that they dominated the game. The game ended in the home team’s favour at 15 points to 8 points.
Claudwin Allisworth, who scored the first 2 points in that Leonora Secondary School’s history was the lead man, finishing with 5pts, Stephon Corlette Julius Bortres, and Michael Adams scored 4, 4 and 2 points respectively to contribute to the final point total in the historic game. West Demerara, Kemar Ferreira top scored with 4points, Michael Bacchus 2 points and Elisha Henry 2points to get on the board.
Both schools will continue practicing in hope to participate in next year’s National School Basketball Festival (NSBF).
