GASA hosts first coach’s clinic for 2018

DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, March 8, 2018

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) yesterday, kicked off its first coach’s clinic for the year. The clinic at the National Aquatic Centre will see 30 local coaches and seven (7) from Suriname undergoing intense training from a Columbia internationally certified coach, Fabio Toro.

Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton commended GASA for the initiative taken to continue the capacity building of local coaches.

“As the Minister responsible for Sports, I want nothing more than to see the development of every discipline of sport here in Guyana. The initiative here today, gives me assurance that the officials, athletes and all the representatives of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association will support me and help me to do so”, Minister Norton stated.

He urged all to make use of the training they will receive in the five-day clinic. Dr. Norton is of the view that with the work GASA has been putting into it athletes, Guyana’s next Olympic medal can easily come from the discipline of swimming.

President of the GASA, Ivan Persaud said the hosting of the coach’s clinic indicates the association’s willingness to have the best coaches available to young local swimmers. Persaud stated, “While we continue to struggle a bit, I think we are moving on and I am going to give you an example, in 2014, we had at our Mash meet and I am sure that the record will show, less than 50 competitive swimmers. In 2018, at our Mashramani meet, we had 129 competitive swimmers.”

He also thanked the participants for realizing the importance of continually upgrading their skills.

The Coach’s clinic is the first of three which will be hosted by GASA which receives heavy support from the International Swimming Federation (FINA). Additionally, it was highlighted that local coaches will also be participating in clinics hosted by neighbouring Suriname.

 

By: Isaiah Braithwaite