New York-based Guyanese sets up boxing gym in Region Two
Stabroek News
May 9, 2003
A simple but crisp programme of songs, poems and dances by members of the Dartmouth Youth Group formed part of the activities on Tuesday to launch the first boxing gym in Region Two at the Dartmouth Community Centre.
The project was initiated by New York-based Guyanese Michael Carryl whose parents were originally from Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast.
Among those present were Member of Parliament Heeralall Mohan, Senior Culture, Youth and Sports Officer Carl Brandon, NDC councillors, teachers, parents, students, and other villagers as well as representatives from the New Opportunity Corps at Onderneeming.
In his opening remarks sports officer Brandon said this was the second effort at establishing boxing facilities in the community, as the first attempt proved futile because of lack of funds and other components.
In pledging his ministry's support, Brandon expressed concern about the care and maintenance of the equipment and called on the youths to make maximum use of the facility.
And Carryl who is an occupational therapist, coach and boxing consultant said in his address that he always had a deep concern and care for the youths who possess lots of potential.
Boxing for him, he noted, was a way of reaching out to young people who need to be taught valuable lessons to become leaders of tomorrow. Carryl, noting that the project can only work if the community makes it work, urged the parents, teachers, children and the wider community to work together to maintain and sustain it.
Meanwhile, while Dartmouth would be the hub of activities, Carryl disclosed that the New Opportunity Corps at Onderneeming has been identified for the establishment of another boxing gym. (Yusuf Khan)
