By Treiston Joseph
Cleveland Forde and Natasha Alder were voted male and female athletes of the year at the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) annual awards ceremony Saturday night at the Young Men’s Christian Association building on Thomas Lands.
Also receiving awards were Chavez Ageday, junior sportsman of the year, Jevina Straker, junior sportswoman of the year, Lyndon Wilson, coach of the year, Johnny Gravesande, coach/technician of the year, Faye Naughton, council member of the year and Asha Seaforth, official of the year.
The AAG’s award ceremony showcased a night of elegant splendor, and the event was chaired by Mayfield Taylor-Trim.
President of the AAG, Colin Boyce, in a review of last year’s activities, highlighted the success of Guyana’s athletes abroad especially the performances of sportswoman of the year Aliann Pompey and Forde.
Pompey gained a silver medal in the 400m at last year’s Commonwealth Games in India while Forde broke Desmond Hector’s 15 year record in the 1500m at the same games.
Looking ahead Boyce said the AAG’s main focus is to re-introduce kids athletics in Guyana which is the 7- 12 categories and to have follow up programmes in the 13- 15 age group.
Boyce also said that the all- weather, all-purpose track will be concluded sometime next year and will help junior athletes receive scholarships.
Boyce, who stated that the AAG was in the process of completing its website, revealed that the AAG would begin focusing on this year’s South American 10k races.
“We accept the challenge for proper use of the synthetic track and will try to ensure that our athletes bring home medals in the near future and if possible at the 2016 Olympics.”
Ageday substituted for the absent Straker in delivering a response on behalf of the recipients’ while Mark Scott gave the vote of thanks.
