– GCF hoping clubs submit lists for ratification soon
Richard Charles sprinted to victory in the juvenile 10-lap cycle race on Saturday at the National Park circuit which ended up being the day’s feature event in the Ricks and Sari-sponsored event after the more prominent cyclists were unable to participate.
According to national cycling coach, Hassan Mohammed, last year’s winner of the feature 35-lap event, Alonzo Greaves and his rivals, were not granted their licenses by the Guyana Cycling Federation which prevented them from competing in the event.
“The cycling federation said that they are not to participate because they did not have their licenses for this year. I even asked to give them an extended period you know, but that didn’t happen so I have to work with what they are saying as they are the governing body for cycling in Guyana,” Mohammed told Stabroek Sport.
Secretary of the GCF Cheryl Thompson yesterday told Stabroek Sport that the licensing of the clubs and cyclists was a matter of routine for the GCF.
“As a norm the clubs and cyclists are supposed to be licensed before the coming year. The clubs have not submitted to date the information to the Guyana Cycling Federation for us to commence the process. The deadline was the 30th of November.”
Thompson said clubs are required to pay a fee of three thousand dollars and the cyclists two thousand dollars.
Thompson said she was hoping that the issue would be cleared up soon.
“We’re giving them time. We’re hoping to have a final meeting on February 1 and I hope by then that the clubs would have submitted the necessary information so as to enable the council to commence the ratification of the lists,” Thompson said.
Charles finished ahead of Keon Thomas and Andre Petty in a race that was dominated by the three top finishers.
Charles also won the five-lap upright race ahead of Thomas and Ozia Mc Aulay
Chrystal Blackman also enjoyed a good day in the saddle when she sped to victory in the BMX 6 – 9 and 9 – 12 year-old categories.
Blackman won the 6 – 9 event ahead of Romel Bhoodoo and Nicolas Nandan and returned to win the 9-12 category ahead of Christopher Griffith and Samuel Bhoodoo.
In the BMX 12 – 14 years, Darius Ramsammy had the better of Nicolas Alves and Grantley Bentinck while the BMX Open race was won by Marlon King with Mc Aulay second and Petty third.
The presentation of prizes was done by Ricks and Sari’s Finance Director, Shahzir Ali, who, apart from handing out trophies to the top three finishers in each category, gave the winners’ hampers that included products manufactured by his company.
Meanwhile, Mohammed believes that the day’s proceedings were a success regardless of the absences of the sport’s premier cyclists and said he hoped that by the next event on February 6 all of the issues will be sorted out.