The Athletics Association of Guyana will up the tempo at the National Youth and Junior Championships tomorrow and Sunday with the addition of senior invitational events at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary starting from 10:30 hrs.
Stabroek Sport had reported earlier that this meet will be used as the yardstick of selection for the Carifta team, according to AAG President Colin Boyce.
The inclusion of the invitational events is aimed at keeping the senior athletes in shape and in a constant state of competitiveness, according to AAG Vice-President Brandford Burke.
The invitational events that will be included for the seniors will be the 100, 400 and 1,500 metres, long jump and javelin on Saturday; while on Sunday the 200, 800, 3,000(female) and 5,000(male), triple jump, shot put and discus will be held, according to an AAG press release.With a good start to his 100 metres campaign at the development meet held in Linden last Sunday, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 200 metres Joint Services record holder Rupert Perry will be looking to add to his growing reputation as Guyana’s premier sprinter.
“I’m not sure about running the 200 metres because I’m not feeling too well, but I’ll definitely be running the 100 metres. Training has been going well and I’m confident of turning in a 10.4s run in the 100 metres this weekend,” Perry added.
In a telephone interview with Stabroek Sport, Royal Youth Movement’s seasoned campaigner and 400 and 800 metres champion, Wayne Harlequin said he will be heading into the weekend’s invitational events with some amount of optimism.
“Well I’ll be missing the 400 metres on Saturday which I know I would have surely won but because I’m Adventist I’ll have to miss my favourite event. I have lately started back training and I’m not sure how good my chances will be in the 800 metres on Sunday but I will give it my best shot,” Harlequin stated. Meanwhile long standing female sprint champion Alisha Fortune, who also trains as a body builder, in a telephone interview with Stabroek Sport indicated that she was not aware of the addition of the senior events. “I’m not sure if I will be participating because I’m now learning about this and although I have been training, there are some particular works that I would have to be doing, so I will have to consult with my coach.”
While the stage is set for an interesting weekend of athletics, the general public will have to pay an entrance fee of $300 at the Police Sports Club Ground.
