Winter sport of curling launched in Guyana
The Guyana Curling Federation (GCF) had its official launch at the Giftland Mall on Tuesday.
The launch broke the ice for athletes in the discipline to participate in international championships, including the Winter Olympic Games.
At the launch, officials of the Guyana Curling Federation, along with the High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana Pierre Giroux and representatives of Rock Solid Productions Inc. were on hand to speak about the potential for the sport in Guyana.
In the interim, Rayad Husain pointed out that him and sister, Farzana who are based in Brampton, Ontario, have access to state of the art facilities in Canada, which would aid their qualification and preparation for world tournaments. However, systems would have to be put in place to ensure local players are afforded the same opportunities, he stated.
Husain who is also the General Secretary of the GCF stated that the goal of the Federation is to raise awareness to the Guyanese people about the sport of curling through the use of Street Curling. Street Curling is an iceless rink produced by Canadian company and partner to the GCF, Rock Solid Productions Inc. “Through the use of this rink, we can bring a taste of what curling is about and how it’s played without the need to build a regulation ice rink.
“Ultimately, the Federation would like to inspire the youth to not only take up an interest in curling, but to lead healthy and active lifestyle” said Husain.
Through time, the goal of the Federation is to send a curling team to the Olympic Winter Games perhaps as soon as the 2022 Olympics in Beijing in Mixed Doubles, as well as to produce medals in the World Championships.
The first event that the GCF will anticipate to send a team to is the 2018 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, which will take place at the end of April 2018 at a site to be announced by the World Curling Federation.