Jefford deeply grateful

– for overwhelming amount of sponsorship for Classic X…

By Timothy Jaikarran

As Sunday August 11 draws near — when the Jefford Track and Field Classic X will be staged at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden, Region 10 — Edison Jefford, founder of the event, is optimistic that its staging would be an unqualified success.

Founder of the Jefford Track and Field Classic, Edison Jefford, with Ian Mahadeo of MVP Sports, one of the sponsors of this historic event

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Jefford disclosed: “I am heartened by the response of sponsors this year, given the challenges I’ve had over the years. This says something about our economy and our diversity, because I have sponsors from all kinds of different backgrounds and ethnic groups for an event in Linden, and I think that shows a lot of maturity from them.
“Our corporate donors have also decided to grow with this event, and I’m very overwhelmed by their contributions for making this event a success. I’m also happy that they have given me the opportunity to carry their brand on a national level and in a community that deserves such assistance.”
Athletes will compete for a total of $2 million in prize money. Each event carries a total purse of $80,000, with the winner receiving $40,000, second-placer $25,000 and third-placer $15,000, each with a memorabilia medal.
The ‘champion male and female athletes’ will benefit from $25,000 worth of Under Armour sports gear and $25,000 cash, along with trophies; while the top three finishers in the schoolboys’ and girls’ 150-metre races will each be awarded hampers and medals.
There also will be 10 gate prizes up for grabs for the patrons’ benefit.
Jefford has said the event is geared to be a celebration of athletics and athletes in Guyana, and athletes must accordingly be the biggest winners on the day; hence the prizes have been lucratively structured to be the most ever awarded at a single athletics meet in Guyana.
The Jefford Track and Field Classic X will be coordinated in accordance with the rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and will be sanctioned by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).
Major sponsors of this year’s events are: ExxonMobil; ANSA McAL Trading Ltd, under the Rush Energy Drink; I-Cool Water; Lucozade; Heineken; MVP Sports; Urban Life; Magnum Tonic Wine brands; National Sports Commission; DeSinco Trading Ltd, under their Swiss Brands; Let’s Bet Sports; and Andrews Supermarket.