GVF describes 2002 as ‘modestly successful’
Stabroek News
January 23, 2003
The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) has described its 2002 season as modestly successful despite the many constraints under which the Federation had to operate to fulfil its goals and objectives for the promotion and development of the sport locally.
According to a GVF release, the Federation was able to achieve a 95 percent success rate in having its national first and second division tournaments completed although the unstable political climate and an increase in gun violence along with the poor economic climate threatened to ground all sport and social activities.
Last year, the Federation concentrated on strengthening its administrative base by forming and resuscitating associations in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice and forging links with the Ministry of Sport, National Sports Commission, Ministry of Education, the Disciplined Services, tourist resorts as well as several private sector agencies, the release stated.
The release stated that in keeping with its mission statement “to provide the opportunity for people of all social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds throughout Guyana to play volleyball at the highest level and to promote peace, unity and the holistic development of our people through our sport - volleyball”, the foundations were laid to have volleyball in all 10 regions of the country and to encourage more participation in volleyball through ‘Fun Volleyball’, ‘All Fours’, ‘Mixed Teams’, ‘Park and Beach Volleyball’ for both male and females.
GVF president, Lennie Shuffler, is quoted in the release as stating that he will make volleyball the number three sport in Guyana in 2003.
Among the association’s many achievements for 2002 are; the hosting of an under-16 Goodwill series with Trinidad and Tobago as well as hosting a Barbados male under-21 team, the hosting of a Bloc Development Conference and hosting a Bloc Development Champion Club Tournament and the formation of a volleyball association in Essequibo.
During last year also, Shuffler represented the GVF at the CSV Congress and FIVB World Congress in Buenos Airies, Argentina, while national coach Levi Nedd attended an Olympic Solidarity course in Hungary.
The Federation wishes to place on record, its heartfelt gratitude to the undermentioned agencies and business houses, without whose support, the Federation’s work could not have been a success; the Minister and Ministry of Sport, the Director of Sport, the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Olympic Association, Banks DIH, DDL, Scotia bank, Castrol, Guyoil, Tower Hotel, Woodbine Hotel, Shanklands Resort, Splashmin’s, the media and all its affiliates.
