With the 56th edition of the National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships two weeks away, regular sponsors for sports in the country, Telecommunications giant, Digicel and local beverage powerhouses, Banks D’Aguiar Industries and Holdings (D.I.H.), through their rainforest water and Supreme Malta brands have renewed their sponsorship with the Championships.
Speaking at the launch of the Championships on Thursday included representatives from both companies in the form of Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacqueline James and Banks D.I.H. non-alcoholic beverage manager, Clayton McKenize.
James noted that the event was a history making event, which has been around before we gained independence.
“The National Schools Cycling Swimming and Track and Field Championships is a land mark activity which is welcomed every year by the schools throughout Guyana, so this year being 56 years you know that that is more than half a century, and I am sure none of us here is 50 years old is really a significant event.” The marketing head stated.
James went on to reiterate the telecommunications company’s commitment to the improving of the country through youth development and has been doing so since the company began operations on these shores.
“Digicel, in our commitment to support the development of our youths and sports is one such area that Digicel has been involved in this championship for quite a number of years. “As a sponsor of the championships we are also encouraging the organizers to provide excellence throughout the championships so that our students will feel comfortable in order to perform at their best.” James mentioned.
With an eye on the 2020 Olympics, the head of marketing made a bold pronouncement to challenge those in authority to better guide the youths in sports and to take them seriously, aiming for greater heights.
“This championship in particular will see our students showing their talents which must be developed and displayed for Guyana’s future. So I am challenging the sporting bodies such as the Guyana athletics associations and all other sporting bodies in Guyana to take these championships seriously and develop our youths into Guyana’s future champions.” James challenged, adding that “The 2020 Olympics is just 45 months away and the need to select and train our athletes to represent Guyana should start now from this championship.”
McKenzie, like James urged the organizers to press for excellence and create an environment that will foster the children to excel with the partnership of the beverage company by their side.
“Banks D.I.H is once again happy to be on board with such an exciting programme that has been running for now 56 years. We will continue to support the event that surrounds children participating in athletics events and also educational events. We believe that children are the future as we see the world today has been developing more into.”
The President of The Guyana Teachers Union, Mark Lyte also welcomed the championships with open arms and an eye on the task of developing future gold medalists. Lyte informed that the public that schools would have started preparations for the Championships at the beginning of the school term where teachers would have taken athletes through the various paces and stages like inter-house, inter-schools and inter-zones respectively and now the ushering in of the National championship.
The Championships will run from November 21-25 with Cycling at the National Park and swimming at the National Aquatic Center, Lilliendaal on November 1 while the Opening Ceremony will be at the Providence National Stadium the following day.
