Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles Ramson, Jr, is no stranger to golf, having been an avid player in a time when he had less responsibilities.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Hon. Charles Ramson, Jr
He has, however, vowed to find time to re-engage in the sport, and has promised to start playing on a regular basis at the newly created NexGen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown. He has also committed to declaring the institution open whenever its official launch is scheduled.
Minister Ramson on Monday met with the President of the Guyana Golf Association (GGA), Aleem Hussain, who is also President of the NexGen Golf Academy, to discuss various aspects of the sport and the opportunities it offers as a socially-distanced activity, especially during the current COVID-19 crisis.
The Minister indicated he is extremely pleased with the interest being generated by the new NexGen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue (partnering with the Scouts Association of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers Union), since it is reaching a demographic of women, children, and inner city players – persons who normally have been unable to access the sport.
President of the NexGen Golf Academy, Aleem Hussain
“The numbers of new players participating in a socially- distanced programme is exciting, and shows that we, as Guyanese, can adapt to finding ways to live with, and in compliance with, the COVID-19 virus; something that may be a part of our lives in the foreseeable future,” the Minister has said.
“Being responsible for (the portfolios of) both Youth and Sport, it is important that the Ministry find ways to support the development of the game, and the rapid growth of golf through your efforts shows that many Guyanese are interested in the sport,” Minister Ramson told GGA President Aleem Hussain.
Part of the action at the academy
Under the influence of the Guyana Golf Association’s President Aleem Hussain, the sport of golf has, over the past few years, seen outreach programmes developed with the University of Guyana, ATC, Queen’s College, Bishop’s and St Rose’s High schools; and even at the Giftland Mall, courtesy of Mr Roy Beepat.
“Contributions to the Academy by seasoned players Colin Ming; Brian Hackett; Anwar Shaffie, along with several overseas players; the Shafura Hussain Foundation; NY (William and Aleena Knight); Maxim Mangra and many others have allowed us to ensure that we can provide equipment and balls to kids either at a very low cost, or, in many cases, at no charge,” the GGA President expressed. With worldwide interest being focused on Guyana’s development of new PGA-standard courses in Mahaica, this is the time for the sport to take its place among traditional activities such as cricket and football, Hussain explained.
“Our current goal is to meet a target of 3,000 new players by the end of 2021, persons who may have never touched a golf club or ball in their lives,” he said. The ultimate goal of the Guyana Golf Association and the NexGen Golf Academy is to find and mould talented players, so that Guyana can compete in golf at future Olympic games!
Anyone who has an interest in learning about the incredible opportunities that golf offers (in education and sports), is invited to make contact at 645-0944, or on Facebook NexGenGolfAcademy as early as possible.
