Guyana’s participation at this year’s Carifta Games is in jeopardy and the Executive Council of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is to meet today to make a final decision on the team’s participation.
According to a release from the AAG’s Public Relations Officer Leeron Brummell, the association was encountering difficulties securing flights to the April 4-6 games in St. Kitts/Nevis.
“The AAG is, however, exploring all avenues to get its team to the Games set for St. Kitts & Nevis,” stated the release.
According to the release the AAG was exploring the possibility of chartered flights.
“AAG President Aubrey Hutson said ticket prices to the destination are high, so too are chartered flights, which are priced between 5 – 7 million dollars (GUY).”
Meanwhile, the athletes have been training together under Head Coach Julian Edmonds with support from Guyana Defebce Force coach Robert Chisolm, Running Braves Coach Sham Johnny, Challengers Head Coach Linden Phillips and Moses Pantlitz.
Guyana is hoping to field some 12 athletes, its largest contingent in recent years.
They had originally named nine following the Carifta Trials on March 7-8 but later added Linton Mentis – U-20 Males – 100 & 200m and female sprinters Michelle Powley and Avon Samuels.
Powley will run the female U-20 100 and 200m along with overseas-based sprinter Brenessa Thompson while Samuels will run the 200 and 400m in the U-18 division.
The Council of the Athletics Association of Guyana took the decision to include the three after they made the qualifying standards at a Development Meet on March 15, organized by the Guyana Defense Force.
Missing from Sunday’s training session were the athletes from Linden – Compton Caesar and Chantoba Bright. Cassie George is out of the country.
The other athletes are:
Boys
Compton Caesar – 100m, 200m
Matthew Mckenzie – 1500m, 3000m
Girls
Kenisha Phillips – 200m
Cassie George – 1500m
Claudrice Mckenzie – 3000m
Chantoba Bright – Long and Triple Jump
Natricia Hooper – Triple Jump
Yvonne October is Team Manager