Guyana’s only internationally rated athletics meet, the Aliann Pompey Invitational makes its return today at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara. This is the first time that the meet will be staged since 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a halt. At a pre-meet press engagement yesterday, Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport. Charles Ramson Jr. underscored his Ministry’s commitment to help build the AP Invitational into a legacy.
In stating his commitment to that ideal, Ramson Jr. said; “We are making a long- term commitment to this event to, so that it becomes a marquee event in our calendar for our sports events for the country and that it remains so, even long after I would’ve departed from here. So, we’re going to make sure things are in place so that that remains so”.
Meanwhile, the event’s coordinator and former National Athlete, Aliann Pompey told the media that despite the event’s prolonged absence, it has not wavered in quality.
“This is the first time you’re having a competition since the Pandemic hit and I’m happy to say there hasn’t necessarily been a drop off of anything. At least, in the quality of the event thanks to the contribution of the Minister and the Ministry.”
Additionally, Pompey expressed optimism that the event will become a cornerstone in Guyana’s athletics calendar in the future.
“As much as you hope that you put measures in place that whenever you decide to depart the position, we can continue to have this event, it’s the same for me. The name might change but the idea is we continue to have this instrument for our athletes, for our young people and for Guyana.” The event has this year attracted international stars such as Trinidadian sprinter Michelle Lee-Ahye, Colombia’s Melany Balono and the Dominican Republic duo of Lidio Feliz and Alexander Ogando.
However, Guyana will have their own stars on show, with the newly minted men’s 100m national record holder Emmanuel Archibald. With the AP Invitational providing one final window of Olympic Qualification, Archibald has an eye on qualifying and dipping below the 10-second mark.
“Because of the calibre of the meet, I just believe that running 9 seconds is going to be key out here and about 3 of us are going to qualify for Olympics” the confident Archibald declared.
The meet which is a certified bronze medal event on the World Athletics Continental Tour, will run off at 4:30 pm.
Fans are urged to come out in their numbers to support their Guyanese athletes and see the star power on show.
