By Avenash Ramzan
Ask and you shall receive.
It was that simple for the Guyana Karate Federation, whose members were on Friday morning presented with a large quantity of protective gear by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The NSC has always preached that associations/federations in need of assistance, financial or otherwise, should make that written request in a timely manner.
The Guyana Karate Federation followed that simple formula and the executives are now in a better position to administer the sport.
At least, equipment, or the lack thereof, shouldn’t be an issue anytime soon.
President of the Federation, Amir Khouri, in the company of his two Vice-presidents Roger Peroune and Keith Beaton, were present at the NSC office on Homestretch Avenue to receive millions of dollars in equipment from Sport Director, Christopher Jones.
Jones stated that after the Federation had applied for help in 2017, resources from the national budget were allocated to ensure that request was fulfilled.
“We hope these equipment would be used to further those athletes in their pursuits, and of course it is not a one-off donation or contribution to them, but rather it is a start. Whatever additional assistance that is needed, equipment or otherwise, the National Sports Commission is willing to lend support to them, but of course as we mentioned from the onset those requests have to be made to the Sports Commission in a timely manner so we can be able to honour their request,” Jones explained.
President Khouri said he is overwhelmed by the large donation, which included Foot protectors (both shin and bottom), Groin protectors, male and female chest protectors and gloves.
“We’re very grateful. We will use this towards the benefit and development of the sport of karate,” Khouri said.
The Karate Federation president said it worthy to note that the equipment are approved by the World Karate Federation (WKF), “so this will go a long way, especially when we’re sending teams abroad, they will need WKF approved equipment to compete and this will help them if they cannot afford.”
Vice-president Peroune indicated that the huge influx of equipment will significantly aid the development of the sport in Guyana.
“A lot of our competitors here can’t afford these gear, and when we send them abroad and they end up buying the gear out of necessity, because you can’t compete without them, it’s a very different feeling. So this is the step in getting them accustomed to what competition is like abroad and what that feeling is like using these gear,” Peroune explained.
