NSC concludes Georgetown leg of Teach Them Young Learn-to-Swim Programme

The National Sports Commission (NSC) on Friday concluded another edition of its longstanding Georgetown leg of the Teach Them Young Learn-to-Swim Programme, with a larger-than-usual turnout at the Colgrain Pool, underscoring the growing interest in swimming and water safety among young Guyanese.
The programme, conducted by the NSC with the support of a team of certified swimming coaches, forms part of the Commission’s continued efforts to promote swimming not only as a sport but also as an essential life skill.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, who addressed participants, parents and coaches at the closing ceremony, described the latest staging as another successful edition of the initiative.

Ninvalle commended the coaches and organisers for completing the programme without incident, while highlighting the NSC’s continued efforts to strengthen safety measures surrounding its aquatic activities.
He pointed to the recent certification of several lifeguards as part of the Commission’s ongoing drive to enhance its safety protocols and ensure that participants can learn in a properly supervised environment.
The Director of Sport described the Teach Them Young initiative as one of the NSC’s most important programmes, emphasising that the ability to swim extends far beyond competitive sport.
He encouraged participants to continue developing their swimming skills and to take advantage of every opportunity to improve, particularly those living in communities where rivers and other waterways form part of everyday life.
Ninvalle noted that Guyana’s geography makes swimming and water-safety education especially relevant, given the country’s extensive network of rivers, canals and other waterways.

He also highlighted the programme’s expanding national reach, noting that similar Learn-to-Swim initiatives have already been conducted in Regions Two, Four, Five, Six, and 10.
With the NSC continuing its efforts to take swimming instruction beyond Georgetown, Ninvalle said attention is now being directed towards Region 8 as the Commission works to expand the programme’s national footprint.
He said the long-term objective is to extend the initiative to all 10 Administrative Regions, giving children and other community members greater access to basic swimming instruction and essential water-safety education.
The NSC remains committed to using sport and physical activity as tools for development while equipping young Guyanese with skills that can contribute to their safety, confidence and overall well-being.