The seventh annual Boyce/Jefford Classic two day meet is expected to get off to a blazing start today at the MacKenzie Sports Club ground from 13:00hrs.
One of the premier track and field events on the Athletic Association of Guyana’s calendar, the nation’s top athletes will match strides with overseas runners for a stake in the $2M prize money.
Co-chairman of the Classic, Edison Jefford was excited about this weekend’s events yesterday.
“We have international athletes here from Jamaica and Trinidad that are ready to represent their territories and we have our locals all geared up to defend the home turf, so we can’t ask for anything better.”
Co-Chairman of the Classic, Colin Boyce, said that “Boyce and Jefford have been evolving to what we are deeming a mini-Olympics. We are happy to have the Trinidadians here for a second time and the Jamaicans are back as well.”
A beaming Boyce commended the ground staff who he said did an impeccable job to the surface and compared the track to Eve Leary and Providence.
“Even if there is a bit of rain it will not be as waterlogged as before,” Boyce mentioned.
Meanwhile, main sponsor Digicel, represented by Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara, highlighted the Telecommunication giant’s commitment to sport and the Classic.
“We will continue to back youth development and as you know we recently signed Usain Bolt as our Speed Ambassador and we hope that from this championship, we can have more talent coming out regionally,” Sanchara stated.
Smalta Brand Manager Anjelica Rodney said that Ansa McAl was also pleased to be a part of the fixture.
“We are delighted to be onboard and we are committed to improving sports and we are always looking for avenues to push that. Education is important but also sport as well,” Rodney pointed out.
There are eight international events that carry a purse of US$500 each with US$250 for the winner, US$150,000 for second place and US$100 for third, which amounts to US$4000, which will be handed out on the day.
In addition, the champion male and female athletes will pocket $50,000 each while the media and masters races also have a similar $50,000 prizes. Trophies will be given to the top four clubs while medals will be given to all athletes placing 1-3.
The total prize money for the clubs amount to $2M with the winner running away with $1 million.
