National record holder Aliann Pompey says that it’s not too late for the necessary bodies to make it up to her for the lacklustre appreciation that has been shown so far despite her accomplishments.
Commenting for the first time since being selected as 2010 Runner-up Sportswoman of the Year, Pompey opened up with Stabroek Sport on her first day back in Guyana yesterday.
Pompey admitted that while she is not too pleased with being snubbed for the 2010 national Sportswoman of the Year, she has moved past that.
Despite her historic feats last year Pompey was overlooked for the award of national Sportswoman of the Year, which was given to World Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Bantamweight title holder Shondell Alfred.
Last year, Pompey became the first Guyanese athlete to ever make it to a finals when she made it to the 400m at the World Indoor Championships. Pompey further went on to capture a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games complementing the gold medal she won at the Games in 2002 and becoming the first Guyanese, in any sport, to ever win two medals at the Games.
Pompey said while she is saddened at not being selected, she would not insinuate that Alfred is undeserving of the award.
“I don’t think she (Alfred) did anything wrong and I would never want to take credit from another athlete that I’m very sure worked very hard to accomplish what she has, but when it was all said and done it was not my award to give,” Pompey stated.
Pompey was also not selected for the award of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Sportswoman of the Year, but unconfirmed reports are that Pompey could not be selected as this award is said to be given only to resident athletes, while Pompey resides overseas.
However the quarter mile specialist says it’s never too late.
“Well you know what they could still make it up to me. I’ll say that and leave it at that, it’s not too late for them to make it up to me,” Pompey asserted.
“I don’t want to say anything to overshadow her accomplishments for last year, but I feel that what I did last year was quite historic. I was the first Guyanese to make it to a World finals and that alone was pretty momentous I believe, and then I got the Commonwealth Games medal, and I became the first Guyanese to get two medals.”
Pompey said she feels that her accomplishments could have been used as a way to encourage other athletes, and she feels that the opportunity to promote Guyana’s athletics capabilities could have been better exploited.
“In a situation where you’re building a track you’re looking to promote athletics, you’re looking to encourage young people to come out, I think it could have been taken a little advantage of than it was,” Pompey said.
Pompey is expected to be in Guyana for one week and during that time she is expected to be a part of a clinic to interact with some of the athletes, according to President of the AAG Colin Boyce.
