Twenty-six-year-old Emanuel Archibald, a former student of the University of
Guyana, will have a chance to fly the Golden Arrowhead high and make his
countrymen proud when he hits the world stage to compete in the 100-meter race in
the 2021 Olympics scheduled for Tokyo, Japan. The Games of the XXXII Olympiad
will begin on Friday, July 23 and go until Sunday, August 8, 2021.

Emanuel, who had commenced studies in Agriculture at UG, was handpicked in 2016
by the University of Guyana’s Sports Coordinator, Ms. Lavern Fraser, to attend the
University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Annual Track and Field Meet.
At that event the budding athlete did not fail to impress.

According to Ms. Fraser, the Guyanese team had comprised of six athletes and
Emanuel’s performance stood out and was recognised by UWI’s Mona Campus’
coach Mr. Keery-Lee Rickets. Upon Emanuel’s return to Guyana, UWI Mona Campus
offered the young and promising athlete a partial scholarship to pursue his studies
and develop his athletic skills.

“After Mr. Rickets saw Emanuel’s performance, he put forward a proposal to me, he
offered to provide him with a partial scholarship that would cover his boarding,
lodging, meals and stipend,” Ms. Fraser recalled.

She further explained: “UG had to cover his tuition, Emanuel also had to go through
the application process and meet the requirements to attend the University. Once
that was taken care of, things got into play. The National Sports Commission (NSC)
was approached and the details of the offer and needs were provided.
Though the Commission is not a scholarships body, it was agreed that since it was sports-related,
a grant can be provided to UG specifically for the payment of the tuition fees. The
monies that were received were transferred directly to UWI, Mona for Emanuel’s
tuition.”

Emanuel had gotten a transfer from UG and is now in third year at UWI, Mona doing
sports coaching. He recalled that the transition to training and adjusting to life and
studies in Jamaica was easier than expected. “The transition was easier than I
thought it would have been because UWI has a sports system that gives you the
advantage to train and get back to classes and so forth,” he said.

The University of Guyana has provided and continues to provide unwavering support
to Emanuel over the years as he would have represented the institution in numerous
track and field events. The confident athlete expressed elation at having the
opportunity to represent his country at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. “Wow, firstly, it
wasn’t a goal I thought I would achieve, but to be going to represent Guyana is a
privilege. It means the world to me. I want to thank my parents, Ms. Fraser and UG
for introducing me back to track and field and providing the springboard for me to
prove myself on the world stage. This would not have been possible without them,”
he noted ahead of his departure for Tokyo.

Ms. Fraser said: “I am really happy, that through UG, Emanuel was afforded the
opportunity and he has made good use of it, and now he can call himself an
Olympian, and the University of Guyana can say that they provided the springboard
for him to get there.”

The Sports Coordinator noted that UG is currently working on a sports policy which
will pave the way for students to be highly successful at both sports and academics at
the same time. Ms. Fraser took the opportunity to urge prospective students with a
passion for sports and academics to enroll for a programme at UG since the
opportunities for success are endless.

Presently, Emanuel is training under the guidance of his coach Mr. Keery-Lee
Rickets. He is confident that he has what it takes to shine on the world stage.

The Chancellor, Prof. Edward Greene, Vice-Chancellor, XI, Prof. Paloma Mohamed
Martin; Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Dr. Emanuel Cummings (Academic Engagement)
and Dr. Melissa Ifill (Institutional Advancement); and the entire Senior Management
Team, Faculty and Staff of the University of Guyana extend best wishes to Emanuel
and the entire Guyana delegation competing in the Olympics.

For a full list of UG’s Degree Offerings click here:
https://www.turkeyenonline.uog.edu.gy/srms/student/prospective/about_applying
/offeredprogs.php

The University of Guyana is the 58th year state University of Guyana. It offers 136
programmes in over 60 disciplines online and face-to-face in 8 campuses across
Guyana. With a student population of now 10,000, UG has provided education,
learning and research for over 50,000 alumni. The mission of the University is to
discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the
service of the community, the nation and of all mankind within an atmosphere of
academic freedom that allows for free and critical inquiry. UG’s forward thinking
Blueprint 2040 is currently setting the course for the University’s future design and
institutional response to the changing needs of Guyana.

Contact:
Ms. Krest Cummings
Public Relations Officer
Department of Events Conferences and Communications (DECC)
592-623-5104