Guyana has secured the hosting rights for the 2019 Caribbean Junior Cycling Championships on the weekend of August 10-11.
This was revealed by president of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Horace Burrowes at the National Sports Commission, Homestretch Avenue yesterday where Bartica was identified as the venue for the historic event.
Burrowes indicated that Guyana had initially secured the bid for the 2020 edition of the tournament but due to the identified territory unable to accommodate the event, Guyana was asked to take up the challenge.
Burrowes said he then contacted the various stakeholders including Mayor of Bartica, Gilford Marshall and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones.
“This is going the first ever hosting of any international cycling in Guyana and we are really happy to be a part of that…we are going to have about 26 countries here at this championships….about 75 percent of the regional presidents.”
“We will have probably about 75 percent of the national federation presidents, a representative or two from each Caribbean country, we will also have the president of the Caribbean Federation, the President of the Pan American region and I am working hard to get the President of the UCI.
Burrowes responded to Stabroek Sport about the possibility of hosting the event in succession next year by stating that it is a possibility but is dependent on the success of this year.
He said while the local contingent that will be participating has not yet been selected, there are not too many options since there are few riders in the pool.
Marshall confirmed Bartica’s readiness to host the event, signaling the preparation that has already begun and the hype of the recent cycling event on the island. The Mayor added that with just over 5000 people on the island, it is important that the police attached to F Division continue to do an excellent job in maintaining incident free events especially with the influx of tourists expected.
“This will be a tall order for us, it will impact our local tourism industry and ensure that everyone is happy and make Guyana proud,” he said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mitra Ramkumar spoke at length of the opportunity Guyana continues to afford itself as hosting venues for sports events which have been the key attraction for developed tourist destinations.
Ramkumar stated that this is the perfect chance for Guyana to showcase the numerous unhindered islands and waterfalls that lace the Essequibo River and give the visitors the perfect leisure time during their stay.
Director of Sport Jones shared similar sentiments on the magnitude of the event, reiterating the value of Guyana as a destination for the world to discover, especially as it uniquely stands out among the Caribbean islands.
Jones was adamant about the exposure the event will bring to Guyana and the resulting social media impact.
