President of the GOA, KA.Juman Yassin revealed the names of Guyana’s representatives for the South American Games in Chile and also disclosed that the Queen’s Baton will be arriving in Guyana on March 2.
During the press briefing at the GOA headquarters in Kingston, Juman Yassin also dropped the bombshell that distance queen, Alika Morgan has ruled herself out of the Games which runs off on March 7 because of “inadequate preparation and short notice.”
The GOA head told media operatives that Guyana will be represented in the disciplines of track and field and boxing.
The 2012 Olympian, Winston George and last year’s South American Games medalist, distance king, Cleveland ‘Little Kenyan’ Ford will spearhead Guyana’s quest for medals on the track while 2012 Junior Sportsman of the Year, Imran ‘Magic’ Khan along with Dennis Thomas will look to secure medals in the ring.
The track and field team also comprise Cleveland Thomas (800m and 1500m), Wayne Harlequin (400m and 800m) and evergreen Sprint queen Alisha Fortune (100m and 200) who was slotted in after Morgan pulled out of the event.
Theresa London (75kg) and Eon Bancroft (69kg) are also part of the boxing team.
Lyndon Wilson will be the Manager/Coach for the runners while Terrence Poole will act in the same capacity for the pugilists.
Gokarn Ramdhani is the Chef de Mission of the sojourn.
Expounding of Morgan’s surprising decision, Juman Yassin told the media that the long distance standout “had been selected to go, but this morning I had a letter from her saying she would not be able to attend the Games due to inadequate preparation and short notice.”
Juman Yassin then added “I don’t understand the short notice because her name has been on the list a long time ago so Ms. Fortune will be going in her place.”
Meanwhile, The Queen’s Baton which begun its 190,000km journey to the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories on October 9, 2013 will arrive here on March 2 as part of unifying the two billion people of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace.
Juman Yassin said the relay “will commence at State House where the baton will be handed to His Excellency, President Ramotar”.
The baton will be crisscrossing Georgetown and some of the spots we will be going is the GCC ground and the manatee pond among others.”
Notes: Inside the baton is a message by Her Majesty the Queen. At the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on July 23, the baton will return to the Queen, who will remove her message and read it aloud, officially declaring the Games open. The baton is currently in South Africa. (Emmerson Campbell)
