The sixth annual CARICOM 10k Road Race which was scheduled to be held in Jamaica next month has officially been cancelled because of a poor response by regional countries.

Speaking with the President of Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Colin Boyce, via telephone, Stabroek Sport was told that the association yesterday received correspondence from the organizing body announcing the official cancellation of the event.

Boyce disclosed that according to their understanding the meet was being cancelled after the athletics federations from  several CARICOM member states had not confirmed their participation.

The AAG, however, had already submitted its information and was  looking forward to attending the event, especially since its athletes have maintained a superb track record.

“We were looking forward to it because Cleveland (Forde) and Alika Morgan would’ve been given the golden opportunity to participate. I know Cleveland was looking to win his title again and Morgan would want to avenge hers,” Boyce stated, referring to the two athletes who were expected to represent Guyana at the event this year.

The CARICOM 10k Road Race has been held every year in conjunction with the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference for the last five years.

Last year Guyana as host of the conference subsequently held the race and was extended the privilege of having six athletes compete in the event.

It is usually expected that each CARICOM member state would send two athletes – one

male and one female – to participate in the event.

On Sunday last the AAG held its trials to determine the two athletes who  would represent Guyana at the meet. In the male category, Cleveland Forde  earned the right to represent Guyana at the event, while the female category was won by Guyana’s leading middle and long distance athlete, Alika Morgan.

Morgan had in an earlier interview with Stabroek Sport disclosed that she was doubtful about her performance at the meet as she was suffering from an injury.

Speaking via telephone with Stabroek Sport the

19-year-old had stated that she was suffering from an injury and  first had to consult her doctor.

However, with the cancellation Morgan’s decision has now been made for her.

Upon learning of the cancellation of the race, Morgan stated that other than being a bit surprised she was not too disappointed as the situation would provide her with a chance to not only improve on her game but also to gain more time to recover from her injury.

Since the event was launched in 2005, Morgan won the female category for the first four years before losing her stranglehold  last year when she failed to finish the last mile of the race after suffering from shin splints. Morgan’s title was taken over by Trinidad and Tobago’s Shermin Lasaldo.

Meanwhile, Forde  stated that he was disappointed over the abrupt cancellation of the meet, particularly since there was another event for which he could have registered had he been given ample notice.

“I am disappointed of course. I had another meet that I could have gone to.  I could’ve gone to the Hampton Games, but you know things happen …. There will still be other events.”

Forde stated that he was contacted yesterday by an official from the CARICOM Organizing Committee who informed him that the meet was off since only three CARICOM member states had registered for the event, in light of the crime situation in Jamaica.  Jamaica, since late last month, has been experiencing criminal mayhem sparked by the search for alleged drug baron  Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke who was on Tuesday apprehended by police.