The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in its endeavour to promote swimming as a sport has brought Japanese coach, Kumito Inuzeka, to train Guyanese to become efficient coaches and swimmers.
Inuzeka associated with Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) would be in Guyana for six months during which she would not only be stationed in Georgetown for training sessions but, also in Linden on weekends and then in Berbice. The coach has been teaching swimming for 20 years, having taught in Japan, Guatemala and Panama. “I’ll do my best here for just six months,” she said.
Inuzeka began working with young swimmers between the ages of 5 to 15 years old last Monday at the National Aquatic Centre.
Director of Sports, Neil Kumar, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, swimming coach Kumito Inuzeka and Alfred King, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry
“There is a need for lifeguards, very often beginners or swimmers would turn up to pools and because of the absence of lifeguards, you would find that the access will be limited and they would only be available when there are coaches and competent persons around,” Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Alfred King pointed out.
Director of Sports, Neil Kumar along with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony shaking hands with Kumito Inuzeka (coach). Standing beside her is Alfred King, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry.
Depending on the type of training, it will be done at the National Aquatic Centre and/or Colgrain House.
“Later in the month or early next month, we will be getting in another coach who will also be here for a longer period. We are anticipating that the coach will be with us for the next two years and not from Japan, this time we are in the process of completing negotiations with the Cuban Government to have a coach come in and be here full time for two years...with these two highly qualified coaches we really want to move our swimming to the next level,” Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport said
Persons who are interested in being recruited as swimmers, coaches and lifeguards can obtain forms from the National Sports Commission.
In November last the Aquatic centre, located at Liliendaal was commissioned .
