The day has finally arrived when athletics fans converge at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, WCD to witness the unfolding of what has become Guyana’s premier track and field meet. 
Today international athletes will put their talents on display in the third edition of the Aliann Pompey Invitational (API), set for a 15:00hrs start.
On Friday, during the meet’s final presser before the day of reckoning, athletics superstar Kirani James, the 25-year-old Grenadian who will headline the event, told those in attendance that he is here “to put on a show”. No track and field Olympic gold medallist and World Champion has ever competed on these shores before this meet.
“I am very excited! It’s my first time in Guyana, so I’m excited to compete, and to see the crowd and learn about the Guyanese culture and everything like that. I hope everyone comes out to the meet and support the athletes; and as long as you guys come out, I can guarantee that we will put on a good show for the fans,” he declared.
James reiterated that he was “very happy to be here”, and thanked Pompey “and the sponsors and everyone that made it possible for me to be here.”
The Caribbean phenomenon has also pointed out that he is looking forward to the challenge, and hopes that his presence inspires an upcoming athlete in Guyana. But he warned that he is here to compete.
James, who has a personal best of 43.74s, recorded as a 21-year-old, had always been regarded as one of the Caribbean’s best talents over the 400 metres, though he has competed over the 200 metres with considerable success, racing to a personal best of 20.41 seconds in 2011. James won gold in the 400 metres at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
Guyana’s own 2018 Commonwealth Games triple-jump gold medallist, Troy Doris, is also excited to be competing for the first time on local soil. The USA-born Doris, whose personal best performance is a triple jump of 17.18 metres, will come up against Donald Scott, the USA outdoor track and field champion triple-jumper, who leaped to victory with a jump of 17.37 metres, which was also a personal best.
Suriname’s Miguel Van Assen, who holds his country’s national record in that event, is the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games champion, and holds the CARIFTA and South American Games title in the triple-jump, has also arrived in Guyana. Van Assen’s personal best is 16.94 metres.
The triple-jump event at this year’s Aliann Pompey Invitational could steal the show, since the Bahamas’ Leevan Sands has also arrived to compete in that event. Sands won bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as bronze at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. He’s a Pan Am Games silver medallist, and multiple times gold medallist at the CARIFTA Games.
The Aliann Pompy Invitational is the only event of its kind in Guyana in which athletes from across the Caribbean, Central and North America compete.
Fly Jamaica, E-Networks, Quality Plus, Banks DIH, the Ministry of Communities, and SleepIn International Hotel and Casino are some of the sponsors onboard so far.
Action is set to start at 15:00hrs. Tickets cost $1000 (stands) and $5000 (VIP).
