(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) The Sports Development Programme of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat is spear-heading plans for the staging of a Day of Sports and Cultureat Guyana’s National Park on Saturday 19 November as a means of increasing awareness of the value of sports to the health and prosperity of a nation.

The event is being held under the theme: The Sports, Education and Culture Train (SECT) for Development, Peace and Unity, in recognition of the designation of 2005 as the International Year of Physical Education and Sport by the United Nations General Assembly. It is being staged as a collaborative effort of the CARICOM Secretariat and Caribbean Vizion, as well as representatives of the various sport organisations in Guyana, including service clubs, government, and other members of civil society.

The day’s activities are scheduled to get underway at 9:00 am, with a range of competitive and non-competitive games planned for the morning. Organisers are hoping to attract maximum participation from both the sporting and non-sporting community inclusive of the physically challenged.

CARICOM Secretariat’s Deputy Programme Manager for Sports Development, Mr. John Campbell said the Day of Sports and Culture was being promoted against the background of the recent report of the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development which noted with concern the new threats to health in the Region, specifically, obesity and its co-morbidities; HIV/AIDS and the health sequelae of injuries and violence.

Mr. Campbell said he viewed the upcoming event as a measured response to the Report as well as a recognition of the value of exercise and physical activity in the maintenance of a sound mind in a healthy body.

He said it was also a means of combating racism, substance abuse, conflict, and HIV AIDS. He sees the activity as setting the tone for similar events in other regions of Guyana and the wider Caribbean Community.

Convenor of the SECT, Mr. Lennox Shuffler said the Day of Sports and Culture would serve as a contributor to the development of an awareness of the value of sports in improving lifestyles and promoting well-being and longevity. He said it would also serve to enable cooperation and collaboration between sports organisations.

The day’s activities will climax with a cultural programme featuring performances from various cultural groups of Guyana, and a Grand Finale concert by Caribbean Vizion, and regional artistes. It is envisaged that the Day of Sports will be platform for a revival of the National Park as a place of pride and a model park for the Region. -30-