By Kiev Chesney
President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Hector Edwards on Saturday evening announced that the federation was currently at the drawing board planning to host a Guyana to Brazil cycle race sometime next year.
Edwards made the announcement at the GCF and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) 2007 awards ceremony held at the Olympic House.
Edwards said that following the success of the Tour de Guyana Cycle race, the cycling federation along with the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, were aiming for greater success and the further development of the sport.
Although the route has not yet been decided the GCF president said that the race would most likely begin in Region 10 before the riders take the trail to Brazil.
President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF)and Coordinator of the ‘Sports for Life’ programme Lennox Shuffler, was also present at the ceremony and treated the young riders to some inspirational stories of his sports as a sportsman.
Shuffler also commended the cycling federation for participating on short notice, in the `Sports for Life’ programme which was held late last year.
He then presented the trophies and certificates on behalf of the GCF to the most outstanding riders who participated in the `Sports for Life’ programme cycling event.
The awardees were Christal Blackman (Most Outstanding Cyclist U-9), Orlando King (Most Outstanding Cyclist U-12), Ryan Bahagwandin (Most Outstanding Cyclist U-14) and Neil Reece (Most Outsanding Cyclist Open BMX ).
President of the Guyana Olympic Association K.A Juman Yassin gave the feature address in the absence of the Minster of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.
In his brief remarks Juman Yassin spoke of the rich history of cycling in the country before charging the young riders to achieve greatness.
“The first thing that you have to do is want to win and next is that you have to be hungry and determined to accomplish your goals,” he said.
The GCF also honoured the most outstanding riders of 2007 with certificates. These riders were: Most Outstanding Senior Alonzo Greaves and runner-up Junior Niles, Most Outstanding Junior Geron Williams and runner-up Christopher Holder, Most Outstanding Veteran U-45 Ian Jackson and runner-up Linden Blackman, Most Outstanding Veteran O-45 Compton Persaud and runner-up Walter Issacs, Most Outstanding Veteran O-50 Monty Parris and runners- up Aubrey Gravesande and Anthony Farriah and the Most Outstanding Female Naomi Singh.