Prizes for the recently-concluded President’s/Jefford Track and Field Classic in Linden were presented yesterday by the organizers of the event at the Digicel head office in Kingston.
Police amassed a total of 313.5 points to walk away with the first place prize along with $500,000 while National Park United placed second with 284 points as the Guyana Defence Force rounded out the top three with 129 points.
Coach of the Police Sports Club, Lyndon Wilson said he was elated at his club’s success as they have won the top prize for two consecutive years.
“Well, I’m elated that we won, it was a tough win for us especially when looking at all the clubs that had athletes in almost every event… so it was a good win for us.
“Next year we will just continue the good work. I know that all the clubs will be building and we will too because we know our weak areas and hopefully we’ll have the same type of success as well,” Wilson commented.
Meanwhile, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and co-organizer of the event, Colin Boyce, expressed his gratitude to the clubs for participating in the event despite the rainy conditions.
“I’m elated to be here as part of the presentation ceremony and I’m peeved that the weather did not permit the athletes to give of their extreme.
“However, I’m happy that the clubs participated despite the weather and they performed well, so hats off to all the clubs,” Boyce said.
Boyce also expressed gratitude to Digicel as the main sponsor of the event while stating that the meet will definitely get bigger and better.
“I must say thanks to the bigger, better network Digicel and I know once the meet grows that the prize money will grow as well.
“We are currently looking down the avenue of bringing more international athletes along with reviewing the month of the games. Next year we are also looking to have a sprinter from Jamaica as part of the meet,” Boyce hinted.
Events and Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope also congratulated the athletes for their performances while stating that the organizers along with the AAG did a good job despite the rainy conditions.
“We are pleased to see the athletes performing under those conditions and to me you guys showed heart and came out and showed your best.
“I would also like to commend the organizers and the AAG for digging in and trying to give you guys a good meet. History was made this year because Guyana have never had that many international athletes compete at one event and I hope the organizers can double the amount of international athletes for next year,” Hope stated.
Co-organizer of the event Edison Jefford thanked the public, Digicel and all the Lindeners for coming out and supporting the meet which was a success despite the rainy conditions.
Meanwhile, the organizers have promised a better event next year as Digicel challenged them to double the number of international athletes attending the meet. This year there were five international athletes and the organizers accepted the challenge.
