AAG seeking to integrate Post-High School development programme for athletes

The Athletics Association of Guyana is seeking to introduce a “Post-High School” programme to ensure that athletes who would have come through the Primary and secondary school’ system continue their education as well as their respective athletic disciplines.

This was revealed by the President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson in an interview with Guyana Times Sports; “We are trying desperately, if ever there was a plan; this is THE plan, to develop Technical or Tertiary Institutions’ Championships, that can keep them (athletes) involved, keep them competitive, and let’s hope by the time they (athletes) get out of there, they can earn us the kind of recognition in terms of winning medals at Olympics or World Championships.”

This plan according to Hutson stemmed from the lack of educational and competitive athletic opportunities available to athletes once they would have completed secondary school.

“We also have to look at the post high school era, which is one of the most difficult eras for them (athletes), because after leaving school, the only institution that you can go to that will keep you as an active athlete is the army or police force.”

He pointed out that some parents would not want their children to join one of the disciplined services; “many athletes or parents may not necessarily want their children to join a disciplined service, they might want to continue their education and those (athletes) who may not be university prospects, would be at the Technical institutes, the question is how do you keep them actively involved in athletics,” Hutson asked.

The AAG is currently in talks with the University of Guyana and policy makers within the Ministry of Education, this plan, the president noted is being welcomed by the parties involved.

Hutson pointed out that one such example of an athlete who needs tertiary level athletic competition is CARIFTA and South American Youth Championships medalist Daniel Williams. “He will be out of school just now and he’s still a youth. He’s exposed now to a junior program, but what will happen to him in his later years when he reaches the age of 21, 22?How do you keep him directly involved active athletics?”

“That gap is of great concern to me; of what happens between ages 17-19 to some athletes” the AAG president declared.

Guyana had a historic showing at the recently concluded South American Youth Championships hosted at the National Synthetic Track , Leonora, where the national U-20 athletes bagged an astounding 25 medals eclipsing their previous record of 8 medals since the introduction of the Continental championship in 1958.

Compton Caesar who won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m was one of the standout athletes along with Daniel Williams, Chantoba Bright who took gold in the long jump, Anfernee Headecker, Onasha Rogers and Claudrice McKoy.