Ministry gave 10M to sporting bodies -Teixeira
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
July 16, 2002
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has expended over $10M in grants to a number of sporting bodies over the past few months.
Speaking at a press briefing in her ministry's board room yesterday when she presented the Guyana Olympic Association with a cheque for $1,824.255, to assist in sending a team of athletes and officials to the Commonwealth Games, slated to get underway on Sunday in Manchester, England, Teixeira said her ministry has been giving support in a variety of ways to different sports associations.
According to the Minister, her ministry has disbursed approximately $5M over the past few months to sporting bodies to purchase trophies and run off small competitions. The Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) and the Guyana Amateur Body Building Federation (GABBF) also received grants from the ministry.
According to Teixeira, the GNRA received a grant to host the British rifle shooting team a few months ago, while the GABBF received support which was worked out on a scheduled basis of the ministry's support to them, leading up to the 2004 CAC Bodybuilding Championships which Guyana will be hosting.
The ministry has also supported the under-15 cricketers who are currently training for their tour of England which starts next month. Their (cricketers) grant is to the tune of $5.9M and caters for encampment (accommodation, meals etc.).
The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) also stands to benefit for their Goodwill meet in August, "so thus far our general support for sports groups here as well as for teams going overseas, excluding this cheque (for GOA), comes up to over $5M" Minister Teixeira pointed out, adding "we are awaiting discussions with GASA to finalise the support for the Goodwill Games".