7th Annual Boyce and Jeffords Classic runs off today

Guyana’s leading Track and Field Championships, Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic, will race out of the blocks at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden, from 13:00h today with several of the Caribbean’s and Guyana’s top athletes on show.
The McKenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden will host the seventh edition of the Boyce and Jeffords Classic Athletics meet over the weekend.
At the final press conference before the event, which is called the “mini-Olympics”, held at Regency Suites, Brickdam, joint co-ordinator of the event, Edison Jefford, thanked the sponsors who have shown their commitment towards local athletics, especially their two major sponsors, Ansa McAl and Digicel.

Marketing Manager of Digicel, Vidya Sanichara stated that it is always in the interest of the company to get behind sports in Guyana.
“Digicel is synonymous with sports and we have been a part of this since the inception and we will continue to develop it since it has youth development tied directly to it.” The Marketing Manger added, “only recently, we signed Usain Bolt as an ambassador and hopefully from this event, one day we can get someone of that calibre, if not regionally, surely locally as we look forward to see great things come out of this championship”
Chairman of the Classic, Colin Boyce noted that the Classic is happy to have both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago participating.
Boyce added that the weather was not in favour of the event last time, but is now confident of a trouble free event. He added that the McKenzie Ground staff should be complimented for their efforts put in to make it ready for the big day.
A total of 30 events are scheduled for the weekend, with the first day being today, featuring 12 finals running off, inclusive of the 200m, discus, long jump, 3000m and 5000m, while on Sunday will have 28 meets, inclusive of a 150m for the under-14’s who are the future stars.
There will also be eight international events that carry a total purse of US$500 each with US$250 for the winner, US$150 for second place and US$100 for third, amounting to US$4000, which will be handed out on race 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 prize. Trophies will be given to the top four clubs, while medals will be given to all athletes placing 1st through 3rd; the total prize money for the clubs amounts to $2M, with the winner running away with $1 million.
The Jamaican, as well as Trinidad and Tobago teams, having already arrived ahead of the meet and were all in high spirits based on their experience and preparation.
Jeffery King, Manager of the Jamaican team, stated that his team is thankful for the opportunity, noting that the Jamaicans are here to win and they will bring it.
On the other side of the table, the manager of the twin-island republic team, Kelvin Nancoo, proclaimed that his athletes are in the form of their lives.
“We have a pretty strong team on Trinidad and Tobago’s third visit to the Boyce and Jeffords.” Nancoo added, “I expect that we will win the men’s 800m through Ashton Gill who has trained well. In the 800m women’s, we have a little girl, Johanna Rogers. Also Richardo Prescott, a young and upcoming 400m, 800m and 1500m athlete, as well as Shakeila Walcott who should place in the top two in the 100m event.”
Boyce noted that this event was not only for the athletes, but patrons could also be winners.
“We have some fabulous gate prizes, inclusive of one gold chain, a 42” television and a $50,000 cash prize,” Boyce said.
The five Participating teams include the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, Super Upcoming Runners, Mercury Fastlaners and Linden Combined.
Boyce indicated that the Police team will be boosted by Alita Moore and Guyanese Olympian Winston George. Both of them are campaigning in the United States.
Cassey George will also be back to boost the Linden team.