Independence Golden Jubilee Day of Athletics Set for Tomorrow
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) in collaboration with the Ex-Athletes Track and field Event will host an Independence day of athletics on Sunday May 22. The event is a calendar event for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee of Independence celebrations. The days preceding will begin at 06:00 with a 5K and 10K road race which starts and finishes at the Carifesta Sports Complex on Carisfesta Avenue.The focus will then be shifted to Track and Field events at the Leonora Track & Field facility, West Coast Demerara for an 11:00 scheduled start. The brainchild behind the meet is ex-athlete and overseas based Guyanese Burgettete Williams-Ford who got the idea after attending the unity march last year in New York, USA. Being overwhelmed by the impact of such an event, the Linden born and former member of the Guyana National Service (GNS) along with fellow ex GNS members decided to plan a 10 K road race. After further discussions with other ex athletes, fellow overseas Guyanese David Thomas was integral in gathering resources and the idea of adding track and Field to the event was thus conceived.The road to this event wasn’t as easy as it may seem as according to Ms. Williams-Ford, she had to return home in November last after letters that were sent to the President of the AAG and the Ministry of Education went unanswered. The Golden Jubilee of Independence event was thus given approval after successful talks with the President of the AAG Mr. Aubrey Hutson and Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture Youth and Sport Ms. Nicolette Henry.The event is expected to attract full participation from Athletes across various schools and clubs.
Oranisers of the event Burgette Williams-Ford (Centre) and David Thomas (to her left) flanked by Representatives of the Athletic Association of Guyana
There will be medals for the first, second and third place finishers for all events while bicycles are to be awarded to first, second and third place finishers for the boys and girls under-16 and 16-20 categories.For the 10 K event, male and female winners are guaranteed $40,000 with second to fifth receiving $30,000, $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
