Independence Classic to feature 273 athletes

By Jemima Holmes

This weekend over 200 Guyanese athletes sourced from all around the country will gather at the Leonora Track and Field Center, with hopes to make the podium in the AAG’s Independence Classics.
The two day event that will take place over the weekend, May 18 and 19, has quickly become a staple in the athletics calendar, with this year being the fourth edition. The event is coordinated through collaborative efforts of the Athletics Association of Guyana and the Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association.
Speaking to the media at a press briefing on Thursday, President of the AAG Aubrey Hutson shared the magnitude of this year’s competition.
“But so far we have 273 athletes set to compete over the two day period. This is going to be a tough task for the athletics association of Guyana and it’s technical team because we have some events with very, very large numbers. For example, the 800M has 24 athletes. It’s going to be good competition,” Hutson stated.
Of the clubs mentioned, the Guyana Police Force has the largest contingent thus far with 74 athletes, Running Brave is a close second with 58 athletes and Upper Demerara Schools (Linden) will be represented by 24 athletes. Also bring 24 athletes is the Hopetown Flames Club, out of Berbice.
The competition that will feature athletes in 8 and Under, 9 – 11 years, 12-14 years, 15-17 years, 18 years and above and the over 35 years Masters. For the younger categories, the players will be expected to participate in four events, namely the 80M race, 400M race, turbo javelin throw and long jump. When these events are completed, then an overall winner will be determined. AAG President Hutson shares why:
“Because we don’t them to specialize too early. We had the classic case of Princess Browne who was a 200-400 athlete all her life, she moved to another club and they said let us try the triple jump and in that first year she got a bronze medal at the CARIFTA games. So we want to give the athletes the opportunity to try everything at that young age, before they start specializing at the youth level,” the AGG boss explained.
Orin Thomas of the Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association is confident in the belief that athletes should be groomed from a young age. Citing the accomplishment of 14 year old Anisha Gibbons, he explained why introducing them to the sport at the earliest age is beneficial to development.
“The question is, why am I so Interested in the youths. We cannot have adults without first being a youth, therefore we have to start identifying the talents from a young age. It is impossible to get what we want if we don’t start at a young age. We want to make sure we can capture that talent young and groom it, so we’ll definitely be ready when the kids reach Junior CARIFTA age and beyond,” Thomas explained.
Also in attendance was CARIFATA Under 17 Gold Medalist Anisha Gibbons and her coach Raymond Daw. A donation of two Javelins was made to the fourteen year old star.
Addressing Anisha’s abilities and this weekend’s competition, Daw expressed confidence in his athletes and encouraged more female athletes to get in the game.
“I can safely say for my athlete there is no competition. Competition in female javelin is lacking. I would like to encourage more females to take up Javelin throwing, I think it’s a very good event. Unfortunately, most females don’t have the equipment,” Daw confidently said.
On the other hand, the tight lipped Gibbons noted that she feels normal and is ready for the weekend’s competition.
The action will run off from 10am on Saturday and Sunday and an entrance fee of $300 will be charged at the gate. MAongst the Sponsors for the Independence classic are Banks DIH, Forrestor Lumber Yard, Sybil’s of the USA, Guyana Committee of Services and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The gift that keeps on giving
While the focus was on briefing the media for the upcoming vent, the Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association took the opportunity to donate some items to the Athletics Association of Guyana and young Anisha Gibbons, which will surely go a long way.
Shortly after Gibbons returned from the 2019 CARIFTA Games with her glistening medal, it was disclosed that the javelin she used for practice is 45 years old. As such, a gift a two javelins was presented to the 14 year old, which she intends to share with her colleagues.
“We are very happy to present you with this javelin so that you can continue shining,” David Thomas of the GOBSA stated.
On the other hand, the GOBSA followed up their last donation of two computer to the AAG with a collection of batons and running shoes, on Thursday.
AAG Presidnet Aubrey Hutson was very pleased with the Association’s continued supported and expressed his gratitude.

AAG President Aubrey Hutson receives batons from GOBSA’s Gordon Lewis
Anisha Gibbons is presented with a javelin by GOBSA’s David Thomas in the presence of Orin Thomas and her coach Raymond Daw