Linden honours its outstanding young athletes on day it became a town – Linden Town Week celebrations

Following what was an annual Torch Run and Victory Walk from Wismar over the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge to the Linden-Georgetown minibus park to mark the 56th anniversary of Linden becoming a town, a special committee held a ceremony to honour some of the mining town’s most promising school athletes last Wednesday.
The activity was held directly on the day that Linden was named a town – April 29 (1970) and was put together by the Linden Mayor and Town Council in association with the Department of Education, Region 10.

Recently crowned, record-breaking South American Youth Games 200m gold medal winner Deuquan Farrell was among those athletes recognised.
Farrell obliterated the previous South American Youth Games 200m record by winning in a time of 21.18s and also copped a gold medal in the 4x100m relay and a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay. Compatriot Ebo McNeil also took home a bronze medal in the South American 1500m.
Another South American Youth Games teammate Gordon Thompson captured silver in the 100m at the South American Games, along with a gold medal in the 4x100m relay and a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay.
The other athletes who were justly given tokens of appreciation were sprinters Tessianna Harris and Angel Jeffrey, middle-distance athlete Kaidon Persaud, field event specialist Rodell Greene, and high and triple jumper Keimal Guishard.
Athletics Coaches Moses Pantlitz of the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School Track Club and Johnny Gravesande of Upper Demerara Track Club were also recognised for their contributions to track and field in the town.

Speaking at the ceremony, Linden Mayor Dominic Blair noted, “Today our youths proudly represent us at the CARIFTA Games and the Junior South American Youth Games in 2026. We are witnessing the continuation of greatness. Linden has always produced champions. Our legends laid the foundation across every sport imaginable and today our athletes carry the same flame burning with passion, pride, and determination. As we celebrate 56 years as a town, we celebrate our athletes who embody the future of Linden.”
In his remarks, Member of Parliament Sharma Solomon said, “We are grateful that we have the facilities that can move the sport and athletics to a different direction. but as the schools’ championship are no longer inter-division and inter-regional, I want to make this point quite clear, that every secondary school in this country must have their own facility, so we can really develop the sport and athletics in every school…It is our individuals, our people, our boys, our girls, our athletes, who have done Linden proud, and have placed Linden on the map and as we commemorate 56 years, it was only fitting for the Mayor and Town Council and also Department of Education and us all in Linden, to commemorate 56 years of Linden as a town.”
District Education Officer (Secondary), with responsibility for sports in the region, Dawn McCammon-Barker told the youths, “You have carried the torch of excellence, and through your efforts, you continue to light the oath for others to follow. Your commitment ensures that opportunities like this continue to thrive.”
Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer (REDO) Lashanna Anderson made the point: “You have shown us that greatness is not just a dream, it is something that is built, step by step, through perseverance and belief. And as you continue your journey, remember that the Olympic stage is not beyond your reach. What you are doing today is preparing you for tomorrow’s global victories, and know that the Department of Education, Region 10 stands behind you every step of the way.”