ACDA, GFF and GNA Recieve Presidential Financial Aid

Georgetown July 14, 2006



President Bharrat Jagdeo is continuing his support for culture and sport. This was demonstrated today with the handing over of $3M in cheques to the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Guyana Netball Association (GFA).

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President Jennifer Webster presented $1M cheques to ACDA’s Administrator Sam Cooke and President of the Guyana Netball Association Maxine Paris-Aaron on behalf of the Head of State.

The East Bank Football Association and Fruita Conquerors, premium football clubs in Georgetown, received a total of $500,000 dollars each.

Adviser to the President on Community Development, Odinga Lumumba, who handed over the cheques to the football clubs, said that the Head of State has always been supportive of sports in Guyana.

According to Lumumba, President Jagdeo was not appreciative of the fact that promoters of the Mayor’s Cup indicated to the public that the Head of State would provide the first prize of $500,000 without prior consent or approval of the President.

He said the President is supportive of football but hope that in the future, approval would be sought before making public announcements.

In 2005, President Jagdeo provided 42 football clubs in Guyana with the sum of $500.000 each and $5M towards the President’s Cup.

The Netball Association is at present preparing for the World Net Qualifiers Tournament on August 9-19 in Barbados. The team will also be concentrating on other upcoming competitions in December.

President Jagdeo made his commitment to the Netball Association on July 12 following a request made for assistance.

The President of the association lauded President Jagdeo’s intervention and more particularly the fulfillment of his promise.

She said that the assistance will cover part of the transportation cost, and will allow the players to be better equipped for the competition.

She also said that a significant part of the assistance will support the team as it represents Guyana in the Caribbean Netball Association’s junior competition.

Meanwhile, the assistance for ACDA coincides with preparations for Emancipation Day activities on August 1.

The $1M assistance is expected to meet part of the incurred preparation cost for Emancipation Day celebrations.