‘Take full advantage’- Director of Sport tells athletes, coaches off to India on scholarship

A group of talented Guyanese athletes and coaches has departed for India on a prestigious sport scholarship, marking the fulfillment of a promise made by the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Charles Ramson Jr.

According to Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, the milestone underscores the Government of Guyana’s commitment to sport development and international collaboration through the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Ministry of Sport.

The delegation, consisting of both players and coaches, represents the disciplines of table tennis, cricket, badminton, swimming and basketball.

Among those making the journey are table tennis players Nigel Bryan and Kristian Sahadeo, cricket coach Darien Best, badminton coaches Frank Waddell and Akili Haynes, swimmer Paul Junior Mahaica, and swimming Coach Shanice Mahaica.

Basketball Coach Warren Wilson is also in India.

Ninvalle expressed immense satisfaction in seeing this initiative come to life, adding, “This is a promise fulfilled, one that we have worked tirelessly to ensure. It is our hope that every athlete and coach takes full advantage of the knowledge and training they will receive in India.”

He emphasised that this group is just the beginning, stating, “This is the first of many scholarships that will be awarded by the Government of Guyana through the NSC and the Ministry of Sport. We are committed to creating more opportunities for our athletes to train at an elite level and bring back valuable skills to help develop sports in Guyana.”

He noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of sport development, talent nurturing, and international partnerships.

The athletes and coaches will engage in intensive training programmes at the JAIN University in Bangalore, gaining exposure to world-class facilities and coaching techniques.

Upon their return, they are expected to contribute significantly to the local sporting landscape, raising the level of competition and mentoring the next generation of Guyanese athletes.