Hutson aiming for safe and successful National Juniors

With the National Youth and Juniors Track and Field Championships on this weekend, Aubrey Hutson, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), is optimistic that the AAG would be able to pull off a smooth and successful meet.
The AAG is gearing to give the nation’s younger crop of athletes the opportunity to display their skills in the National Youth and Junior Track and Field Championships which would be held on Saturday and Sunday. The meet will be an important one, with several international competitions on the horizon for the youths.
In speaking with this publication, Hutson shared the response the AAG has received and the number of athletes to expect.
“We know that we are basically hemorrhaging a little bit simply because we haven’t had schools championship this year. But the clubs have been working to have this championship done, and the response we’re getting is pretty good,” Hutson said during an exclusive chat with Guyana Times Sport.
“We’re getting more from the youth level than we have at the junior level. But, you know, teams like Bladen Hall and Running Brave are really and truly sending in large contingents to this competition.”
Further, Hutson disclosed, “Of the 13 clubs that we have now, 11 of them will be here. And as it relates to the athletes’ number, I think we’re looking at around between 175 to 200 athletes that are going to be competing over the weekend.”
With a close eye on the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAG will have a COVID officer present at the Leonora Track and Field Facility to ensure the proceedings are held within the guidelines.
Hutson informed, “We will have, on the day of competition, a COVID-19 officer who has the responsibility to ensure that people wear their masks and they observe all of the different protocols that we would have agreed to between ourselves and the COVID-19 Task Force. Also, the guidelines that would have been set out to us by the World Athletics.
“So, we’re looking at making sure that our events are run off where the athletes can benefit, and it does not become a, you know, super spread event where anybody gets infected with COVID-19,” he added.
As the South American Under 23 and Junior Pan American Games come up in October and November, Hutson sees the meet as a means of visibility, to secure sponsorship for the youngsters who will be jetting off to represent Guyana.
“Yes, competition is always great. There’s never enough competition or too much competition for athletes. And we’re looking at, you know, ensuring that those who are at the youth and junior level really and truly showcase their talent and make sure that the sponsors out there see who they are sponsoring and be more encouraged to sponsor more athletes to get us to the South American Junior Championships,” Hutson explained.
“Because shortly after that, you know, we have Platinum, so they’re going to use the South American Junior, or Under-23 sorry, as a means of qualifying for parameters concert in November.” While the South American Under-23 competition is set for October 16 and 17 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the Junior Pan American Games would be run from November 25 to December 5. (Jemima Holmes)