01-19-2009
Guyana Sports Development Foundation to continue assistance in 2009
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| Colin Baker |
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The Guyana Spots Development Foundation, Inc (GSDF), a non-profit organization based in Florida has indicated that the group will continue aggressively it’s assistance to sports in Guyana in the upcoming year.
President of the GSDF, Colin Baker highlighted some of the Foundation’s recent accomplishments and announced plans for 2009.
The GSDF currently assist with the sports of Football, Cycling, Tennis and Track & Field and also has an After School section. The Directors are Colin Baker, John LaRose, Bill Adams, Victor Wright, Brian Edun and Richard Ross.
Mr. Baker indicated that Football benefited the most since the foundation was started but is hoping that the other programs receive similar attention and benefits in the 2009.
Football
2008 started with the GSDF hosting trials in Florida for youth North American players aspiring to represent Guyana in the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World cup qualifiers. Also, players from North America and Europe were scouted and identified to represent the Guyana at the senior level for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the Caribbean Championships.
A major part was also played by the GSDF in acquiring the necessary documents for the overseas players selected, so as to be eligible to represent Guyana.
Assistance continued from the GSDF to the Guyana Football teams with equipment and Training uniforms and Football educational material.
The GSDF was also instrumental in the creation of the Guyana Football Federation – World Cup Committee. This committee will now be part of the GSDF as of January 01, 2009 and will liaison with the Guyana Football Federation and other parties in the Development of Guyana’s Football.
As part of the Football development programs, proposals were submitted to the Guyana Football Federation for the launching of a Senior National League and a Secondary Schools program, with one objective of the schools program being to identify players for overseas scholarships. The GSDF will also be very involved in the development of the Women’s and Youth programs in 2009.
Cycling
Cycling enjoyed a small amount of assistance with sponsorship for six (6) cycle races with the hope of revitalizing the sports in the Linden area where cycling is almost non-existent. This area has produced some of Guyana’s top cyclist over time it is important that the sport is revived. A racing cycle was also donated to the Roraima Cycle Club to be used by youths participating in the National Schools Cycling Championships.
Tennis
Discussions continued during the year with the hope that the GSDF will liaison with the Guyana Lawn Tennis Federation to acquire an existing Facility or a new Facility. The plan is to have a Facility that can be used to host international tennis tournaments in Guyana either on grass or hard court surfaces. One of such requirements is that the facility must have at least four (4) tennis courts.
Track & Field
Not much progress was made in this department and will be one of the GSDF’s main areas of focus in 2009.
After School Program
The After School program was highly instrumental in the Kayo’s Football Academy becoming a reality. The Kayo academy was the idea of current Guyana National Football Kayode McKennon and was consistent with the ideas of the GSDF’s After School program. The Academy consists of approximately sixty (60) youths between the ages of six and sixteen years old and participates in Academics, tours, social graces and Football.
The GSDF initially donated equipment in the amount of $500,000 and will continue to support the Academy.
There are plans in 2009 to launch two similar academies in Blairmont and Essequibo.
2009 Goals
The GSDF will shortly begin its fundraising efforts to support its 2009 goals. The main goals being to:-
1. Get the Track & Field discipline up-and running
2. Identify a Facility to host ITF Tennis tournaments in Guyana.
3. Provide scholarship to youths in Guyana.
4. Launch two (2) youth academies in Blairmont and Essequibo.
5. Identify one other sports discipline to provide assistance.
6. Identify a site and start development of a new Facility which will have an all weather
surface to host Track & Field, Cycling and Football.
More information on the GSDF can be found on its website http://www.GuySportsDevelopment.com
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