GOA rewards SA Youth Games medallists with training grants

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) on Monday afternoon moved to reward the country’s South American Youth Games medallists, who raked in seven medals at the recently-concluded fourth edition of the event in Panama City.
The training grants will bolster the athletes’ preparation and readiness as many of the group now turn their attention to more international exposure.
The grants were handed over at the GOA’s Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown headquarters where a debrief of the Games was hosted on Monday.

There, GOA President Godfrey Munroe expressed the Association’s pride in the Guyanese contingent’s performance on the regional stage.
Munroe told the gathering of athletes, coaches and parents, “We’re quite pleased from the Guyana Olympic Association side on the team’s performance. I think, overall, we had eight disciplines participating in these games, which is quite a unique feature. It’s testimony to our strength, athletic ability, the work that you guys put in.”
Six of the seven medals were garnered in the track and field arena, with Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) President Sheryl Hermonstine signalling an intention to build on those performances.
“This is not the final at line; Panama was proof of what we can do. The next challenge is to raise the car. We will invest, you will train harder and we will expect results because Guyana deserves to be on every podium. Athletes, you have set the tone, now let’s build on it,” Hermonstine articulated.
Already looking at aspects for improvement was National Sports Commission (NSC) Vice Chair Cristy Campbell.

“The games, whether you medalled or not, it’ a learning curve for each and every one of us. I’ve closely followed the results of all of the disciplines and I’ve made some notes which I’ll pass on through the GOA, to the respective national federations in areas we believe could be implemented for betterment,” Campbell shared.
She went on to add, “When I say betterment, I don’t only mean for the athletes or the Coaches, but this entire process is a learning curve for everybody involved, all of the key stakeholders.”
Guyana picked up three gold, one silver and three bronze medals for a 10th-place overall finish at the South American Youth Games.
Ken Harvey (Bronze – 60kg Boxing); Ebo McNeil (bronze – 1500m, bronze – Boys’ 4x400m relay); Ezekiel Millington (Gold – 100m, gold – 4x100m relay); Gordon Thompson (silver – 100m, gold – 4x100m, bronze – 4x400m); Deuquan Farrell (Gold – 200m, gold – 4x100m, bronze – 4x400m); David Williams (gold – 4x100m) and Ade Sealey (bronze – 4x400m) were all presented with the training grants from the GOA.
A total of 32 athletes represented Guyana at the South American Youth Games across athletics, archery, 3×3 basketball, badminton, boxing, chess, lawn tennis and table tennis.