ExxonMobil hands over renovated Kwakwani Basketball Court and facilities to the community

by Solomon Mcgarrell

The Kwakwani Untouchables Club and by extension, the residents of Kwakwani, Region 10, Upper Demerara-Berbice, will now benefit from a newly rehabilitated basketball court, bleacher and a changing room sponsored by ExxonMobil Guyana. The spanking new facility was renamed the Annie G Court, after renowned basketball coach Ann Gordon.

On Saturday, the handing over ceremony saw representatives from ExxonMobil, Ms. Suzanne DeAbreu, Leonard Hoppie and Tenisha Lesflores; Regional Vice Chairman, Mark Goring; Kwakwani Neighborhood Democratic Council Chairwoman, Michelle Simeon; councillors and residents who came out to witness this momentous occasion.

The Regional Vice Chairman in his opening remarks expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the company for fulfilling yet another project as part of its corporate-social responsibility. “Thanks to ExxonMobil Guyana, especially Ms. Suzanne DeAbreu and her team, and Cerulean Inc., led by Ms. Lyndell Danzie-Black, this project has become a reality. I am grateful to Exxon’s President, Mr. Alistair Routledge, for supporting the vision of development in Region 10.” He also added that through collaborative efforts, “Kwakwani now has a world-class facility where our National Basketball Champions, the Kwakwani Untouchables, can continue to hone their talents and thrive.”

The Vice Chairman implored the residents to take ownership of the facility in a sense of protecting and preserving it for the future generation.

In recognition for the late Coach Dave Causway, who would have played an instrumental role in making key representation for the project to become a reality, the bleacher will be named after him.

Suzanne DeAbreu, Community Relations Manager of ExxonMobil Guyana, highlighted that one of the company’s key area of investment is youth and community empowerment. “When we invest in local initiatives like this one, it creates long-term positive impact and enriches the lives of the people in the community and the country,” DeAbreu said.

She told those in attendance that providing young people with access to enhanced facilities, we are not only offering them a productive pastime, but also instilling values of discipline, teamwork and resilience that will serve them throughout their lives.

Kwakwani has produced champions for ExxonMobil School Basketball Festival for the past four years.

The Kwakwani Untouchable Basketball Club Secretary Dawayna Thom, in her vote of thanks to ExxonMobil, said that the court, “which has long been a central part of our community, now stands as a symbol of hope, progress, opportunity and many championships.”

The renovated facility will not only uplift the basketball players, but it will also provide a space for future generations to grow, train and enjoy the sport that binds the community together.

In showing gratitude for this remarkable renovated facility, a resident, Wendy Franco Sears, gifted hand- made clocks as a token of appreciation to the representatives of ExxonMobil, the contractor – Cerulean Incorporated and the Regioinal Vice Chairman for making this project a reality for the community.