‘Learn to swim’ Region Six registration closes today
Scenes from the ‘Learn to swim’ programme in Region 6
The 2024 ‘Learn to swim’ programme in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has so far seen scores of persons taking advantage of the free opportunity to equip themselves with the life skill and registering to participate.
Considered one of the flagship programmes of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), the ‘Learn to swim’ programme now caters for adults and children aged six years old and above. Sessions are currently being held at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) pool in the Albion Estate compound.
Region Six Sports Officer Randy Mangru explained that the programme introduces participants to the basic techniques of swimming. He noted that swimming is not only a form of athletics, but is also a lifesaving technique; and because of its popularity, the programme has now become an annual feature in several regions.
According to Mangru, at the National Schools’ Athletics Championships of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Region Six has been unable to field athletes in the swimming category.
“This programme has proven to be beneficial. Since it commenced, we have had athletes to send to swim at the Ministry of Education’s National Athletics Championships, to participate and represent Region Six,” he noted.
He also declared that today (Friday) is the last day to register for participation in this year’s programme.
“You are never too old or too young to learn to swim. I am urging persons to go on the Ministry’s Facebook page and register,” Mangru has admonished. The programme would be ongoing until the end on July.
Meanwhile, Angela DeSouza who learnt of the programme through the Education Ministry’s Facebook page, has registered her three kids: 14, 8 and 7 years old, to participate in the programme.
She told this publication that neither she nor her husband knows how to swim. The skills her children are now acquiring might become useful one day, she said.
“I am going to register myself too,” she further stated. (G-4)
