By Treiston Joseph
The second edition of the President’s/Jefford Track and Field Classic had its official launching yesterday at Digicel’s head office on Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston.
Coordinator of the Classic, Edison Jefford made the welcome remarks and introduced the members of the head table which included representatives from two of the event’s major sponsors, Digicel and Ansa McAl Trading Ltd.
The press conference also attracted the presence of Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (MCYS), Steve Ninvalle who made a brief presentation on behalf of the MCYS.
“To get the best out of athletes you need more competitions and I see this as becoming one of the prestigious track events in the country.
“It is important to see corporate companies supporting such activities to improve the sport, the ministry is in support with such activities and I see this as being an epic event on our calendar,” Ninvalle added.
Public Relations Manager of Digicel, Shonnet Moore said that the success of last year’s edition of the Classic has brought Digicel back on board adding that the company looks forward to the continued success of the meet.
Meanwhile, Ansa McAL’s Marketing Assistant Anjeta Hinds, reiterating most of what was already said, also told the media representatives that “we are looking for ways to expand in supporting athletes and this is just a stepping stone in supporting athletics.”
President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Colin Boyce who collaborated with Jefford in creating the Classic last year, declared that it was done through positive thinking to raise the standard of athletics in Guyana.
“The objective is to place more finance in the clubs to help develop the athletes and I think that the competition would be a treat to the public and I trust that the level of competition would be very high and as president I trust that this event will turn out as a prestigious meet,” Boyce stated.
Meanwhile 400 metres specialist, Aliann Pompey who will be the main attraction at the Classic will be landing on home soil on May 19 at 08:40hrs and will be heading to Linden to promote the sport and sign autographs before leaving for Georgetown the same day.
Pompey cancelled a trip to Brazil where she would have competed in some events to be involved in the Classic and is set to take on local female sprint sensation, Alisha Fortune and current under-23 champion Neisa Allen in what is already set to be a classic 200 metres showdown.
“Basically I think it’s something good but unfortunately I’m not sure if I will be competing on the day because I’m having some injury problems, I have not been doing any track work for three weeks just gym work to try to stay fit but I want to compete with her and I will put my best foot forward to try and give her good competition,” said Fortune yesterday at the launching.
“She is a good competitor and a disciplined athlete like me when it comes to training so I’m working hard on it so I can compete with her but I’m still not sure whether I will be fit enough on the day,” she added.
The under-23 champion also weighed in on her chances in the high profile race. “Well I have been training hard to beat Alisha but every time I have pushed myself too hard I end up with a thigh injury but I see myself running high in that race to be the talk of the town.
“I have been getting a lot of encouragement from coaches and I have the desire and will to win. I will put my mind to doing well and once I put my mind to it I could do anything on the day,” Allen declared.
Boyce assured Stabroek Sport that the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground will be in good shape since it has caused concerns in the past to a number of athletes.
“I can tell you we have plans for the ground which includes cutting, marking and rolling of the ground, the weather is on our side and this weekend we will be getting things in order.
The Mayor and City Council in Linden has promised as well to help us get the ground in perfect shape,” he added.
While the event is set to be a classic ,the organizers are already looking to next year which will include according to Boyce the inclusion of overseas-based athletes with the use of the Redjet low airfares service.
