AAG merges junior and senior championships for 3-day national showcase

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will stage its 2026 National Championships from Friday, June 26, at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), with the junior and senior championships being merged for the first time in the event’s history.
The details were announced on Monday afternoon when the AAG officially launched the championships at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue. The three-day meet will run from June 26 to June 28 and will feature athletes competing in the Open, Under-18 and Under-20 categories.
To date, 368 athletes from 14 AAG-affiliated clubs have registered for the championships, while additional entries are expected from overseas athletes and invited organisations before the competition begins.
Athletes will compete in a full range of track and field events, with track races running from the 100 metres to the 5000 metres. Field events will include the jumps and throws.

This year’s championships will also carry added significance for youth and junior athletes, with spots at the World Under-20 Championships in September up for grabs.

According to the AAG, the decision to merge the junior and senior championships was made to create a larger and more competitive weekend of athletics. In previous years, the youth and junior championships were staged separately, while the senior championships did not attract the level of numbers the Association wanted.
The AAG is anticipating strong competition across the three days, particularly in the men’s 100m, where reigning senior champion Emmanuel Archibald will not be present to defend his title. His absence is expected to open the door for a closely-contested sprint event.
Guyana’s men’s 400m record-holder Malachi Austin, who set the national mark earlier this year, is expected to compete, while senior athletes such as Arinze Chance will be among those aiming for top honours.

Cash prizes will be awarded in the senior category, with winners receiving $40,000, second-place finishers collecting $30,000 and third-place finishers receiving $20,000. Junior athletes will compete for trophies and other prizes sponsored by various businesses.
Several sponsors have already thrown their support behind the championships, including Banks DIH, Guyana Beverages Inc, Courts Guyana Inc, DHL, Dyna’s Embroidery and Church’s Chicken. The AAG said some additional sponsors were still to be confirmed in the coming days.
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, is expected to officially open the championships on Saturday, the second day of competition.
Monday’s launch was followed by a technical meeting involving coaches and club representatives. The AAG also noted that all officials completed refresher training two weeks ago, with the standard of officiating expected to be at a high level.
Admission to the championships will be $1000 across the three days, while athletes and children under 10 will enter free. Food and drinks will be on sale at the venue, and the AAG is encouraging the public to attend and support the athletes.