The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated on Tuesday handed over a sponsorship cheque to the local swimmer, Joseph Matthew to facilitate his participation in the Goodwill Swim Meet to be held in Barbados from August 17-19.
GPL’s Assistant Public Relations Officer, Natalie Penard said this is in keeping with their corporate responsibility.
Pernard noted that the utility company has a keen interest in youth development and sports. “So, we have taken interest in Joseph performance over the years and are happy to be associated with such an important venture. We know that we are helping Joseph to live his dreams to one day becoming an Olympian. So, we are happy to make this donation,” Penard said.
Matthew shared his excitement with the Department of Public Information (DPI). “It feels very good that GPL is sponsoring me to go to Barbados. It feels very exciting actually this is my first sponsorship, my first regional competition in Barbados.” He added, “I have been training hard and I really want to bring home a win.”
Joseph’s Coach, Harwich Bagwig, who is one of the five coaches on the panel for the Goodwill Swim Meet, said the swimmers are “more vibrant; they are much faster than swimmers from my generation. Joseph has beaten the time I have clocked the first time he swam ever. That shows a great improvement and development of the athletes over the years.”
When asked about the support system for the athletes Bagwig said “apart from the swimmers supporting each other, we have a lovely club-parent relation. Without the support of his parents, Joseph would not have been here. We also have the association to push the athletes to improve their skill level and go as far as possible.”
