The National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, will take its ‘Learn to Swim’ programme to Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), from Monday, October 12, providing more than 200 children with hands-on training from certified swimming coaches.
The initiative represents an extension of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to expand access to sporting opportunities across Guyana, while promoting water safety and developing swimming skills among children in communities where the sport is an important part of everyday life.
The programme’s arrival in Potaro-Siparuni also fulfils a commitment made by Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, during a previous visit to the region.
Jacobs had promised to facilitate the deployment of NSC-attached swimming coaches following a request from residents, who highlighted the importance of swimming in the area and the need for structured training to help children develop their abilities safely.
With more than 300 children expected to benefit, the programme will provide participants with practical instruction and guidance from qualified coaches, helping them build confidence in the water while learning fundamental swimming techniques.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle described the initiative as an important undertaking for the NSC, emphasising that the Commission’s broader objective is to ensure that the benefits of organised sporting programmes reach communities throughout the country.
He stated that NSC coach Paul Mahaica has been dispatched to Region Eight to spearhead the programme, which will conclude at the Roger Hinds Pool on Friday.
“Our aim is to have the ‘Learn to Swim’ programme in all 10 administrative regions of Guyana, and taking it to Region Eight is particularly important to us,” Ninvalle said.
He noted that extending the programme beyond the more accessible coastal communities is essential to ensuring that children in hinterland regions are not left behind when it comes to accessing sporting opportunities and professional coaching.
Ninvalle also underscored the wider significance of the initiative, pointing to swimming’s value not only as a competitive discipline but also as an essential life skill.
“For us at the National Sports Commission, this programme is about more than just teaching children how to swim. It is about equipping them with a skill that can protect their lives, building confidence and creating opportunities for young people to develop an appreciation for sport,” he said.
He added that bringing certified coaches to Potaro-Siparuni demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to making sports development more inclusive and responsive to the needs of communities across Guyana.
The initiative is particularly relevant in Region Eight, where swimming is a familiar activity for many residents.
However, access to structured instruction can make a significant difference in helping children develop proper techniques, understand water safety and build the foundations necessary for further advancement in the sport.
Through the programme, the NSC and the Ministry are seeking to bridge that gap by bringing professional expertise directly to the children, rather than limiting training opportunities to communities with established sporting facilities and resources.
The ‘Learn to Swim’ initiative forms part of the wider national sports development agenda, which seeks to introduce children to different sporting disciplines, identify emerging talent and strengthen grassroots participation.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
