Sports gear donation to boost Cane Grove clubs
− Min. Norton pledges to assist in rehabilitation of the community’s grounds
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, October 10, 2019
Several youths, in three sports clubs managed by the Cane Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), are benefitting from the distribution of sport gear and equipment by the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport.
During the handing over ceremony held at the NDC office, on October 8, Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton said the gesture was in response to a request made by the representatives of the NDC. He noted that the ministry has an ‘open door’ policy to encourage members of the public to meet him and spotlight the issues they wish to be addressed.
“It is a different approach that we have undertaken,” and added “by providing sports gear and equipment to young people, we are giving them a jump start to develop themselves. So, through this initiative, we hope to provide an opportunity for all.”
It was highlighted that the community’s recently resuscitated club called ‘Blood Full: Full Blood’ will receive a cricket kit which includes gloves, helmets, knee pads, balls among equipment.
The department also donated tennis table gear, uniforms and gloves to be divided among the other two clubs from Strathavon and Cane Grove – both called the Rising Stars; each with over 40 members.
Chairperson of the NDC, Keshni Rooplall expressed appreciation to the minister and his team for answering the agency’s request. Rooplall remarked that the donation will allow the community to continue its programme of engaging the youths in the communities. “… I find that sport is one of the ways to get some form of relaxation. I am big on the suicide prevention campaign and we can see that our youths fall prey to those things so I pushed for our grounds to be fixed and for the donation of sports gear for our boys and girls,” she added.
Minister Norton and his team, along with the NDC officials, visited the Coconut Dam and Granny Field grounds to assess the range of works needed to make both areas conducive for sporting activities.
The minister assured that residents could soon benefit from the department’s ground enhancement projects. It is hoped that both community grounds will have a pavilion, washroom facilities and fencing.
With six constituencies under the NDC’s management, Rooplall explained that each ground caters to two communities – Mary’s Hope and Bagots Diamond that would use the Strathavon ground, while Virginia and Coconut Dam use the Manager’s Drive ground. Cane Grove Estate and Granny Field constituencies would normally access the Granny Field Ground.