Leonora stadium ready for increased traffic – Williams
The National Track and Field Centre (NTFC) at Leonora, West Coast Demerara saw a number of activities in 2017 being run off with flying colours; those events included the historic South American U-20 Championships and for the first time the National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships.
The 2018 season, which is expected to bring increased traffic om the track, just got under way with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) holding their first developmental meet on Sunday.
Guyana Times Sport recently caught up with Operations manager of the facility, Trevor Williams and he revealed that he and his team are prepared to deal with the numerous events slated to be run off at the NTFC.
Operations manager of the National Track and Field Centre, Trevor Williams
The AAG’s 2018 calendar of activities is heavily laden; at least six international “Grand Prix” meets are slated for the year along with the annual Aliann Pompey Invitational. The National Schools Championships will be sure to return to the venue as well; in addition the facility also serves as a venue for the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite league.
With such a packed year looming ahead, Williams noted; “we are fully aware of the numerous events that are planned for 2018 and we (NTFC staff) are fully prepared for those events. It is not a matter of us being prepared alone but the organisers of those events also have to play their part, ensure that their logistics are in order and everything runs smoothly in a timely manner.”
Not only is Williams and company at the NTFC prepared for the year ahead but he is also planning some major upgrades to the facility.
Two warm up areas are going to be constructed in the first half of the year at the facility; those areas will be two 200-metre synthetic track curves on opposite shoulders of the compound.
The lack of such areas in the past was highlighted especially at the South American U-20 Championships last year where the absence of warm up areas was a hindrance.
This has led Williams to further develop the facility in an effort to ensure that the facility remains up to standards and able to host meets of international quality.
