All systems are in place for a successful staging of the ‘Golden Jubilee Independence’ day of sports tomorrow.
These and other details were discussed during the final press briefing yesterday at the GNS Complex ahead of the meet which is a collaborative effort of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) and former athletes based in North America.
Competition Director of the AAG, Mayfield Taylor-Trim noted that all logistics are in place for the event and that they expect a great turnout.
Members of the AAG and former athletes based in North America, pose for a photo following yesterday’s press briefing.
With the organisers spending in excess of $6000 US, the athletes will be receiving medals and various prizes at both the 10k and track and field events.
The National Track and Field Centre at Leonora and the streets of the Garden City will be buzzing with activities when the road races and track and field events are staged four days prior to Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations.
For the 5km race (for athletes 14-16 years), the runners will start on Carifesta Avenue opposite the National Park. Proceed into the National Park, exit onto Albert Street, proceed west into Camp Street, then north onto the Seawall road and return to the point of origin.
The 10km (open) event will start at Carifesta Avenue /Camp Road junction, proceed north along Camp Road to Seawall Road, and continue east along the seawall up to the East Coast Highway up to UG road. The runners will then turn around at UG road, proceed west to the Kitty Public road, then return to Carifesta Avenue for the finish in front of GNS Complex.
Five hours later, the youth, junior and senior track and field athletes will swing into action at Leonora at the Track and Field Centre.
They will compete in the 4x100m, the 4x400m relay races along with the 100m, 200m, 800m and 1500m and long jump events.
60 and 80m events will also be contested for athletes 12 and under.
While the top three finishers in the under 16 and U-20 events will take home bicycles, the top five seniors will pocket $40,000, $30,000, $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
The top three Master’s male and female finishers will be rewarded with cash prizes of $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 in that order.
One of the organisers, Burgette Williams-Forde highlighted the reason behind the hosting of the event.
“I had an appointment with Minister Nicolette Henry, I went to her to get permission to use this ground, and I said to the minister we are not here to just host a meet… I told the minister that whatever the government is doing, we would like the event to be a part of the Golden Jubilee,” Williams-Forde stated.
See you there. (Emmerson Campbell)
