The celebrations for Guyana’s 50th Republican Anniversary will have the added flare of sporting activities, as the 50th Jubilee Relay Festival was launched on Tuesday morning at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Main Street office.
Events Director Mark Scott, AAG VP Sheryl Hermonstine, Festival Director Stanley Lancaster, Festival Administrator Desiree Wyles-Ogle and Director of Culture Tamika Boatswain take a photo opportunity following the event’s launch
With Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary being fully prepared for, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the body whose job it is to coordinate the celebration for the upcoming Republic milestone have thought it fitting to include sports in the calendar of activities. That is how the idea of a track event was birthed.
Festival Committee Director Stanley Lancaster, sharing the committee’s rationale for venturing into the track-and-field realm, said: “The events that have been planned for the 50th Anniversary of the Republic are many. I think we have in excess of 50 events that are going to celebrate this occasion, but we did think that all aspects of our culture and our life should be celebrated, and as such, sport plays an integral role,” Lancaster disclosed.
“What is critical about the sporting aspect is that it speaks to a healthy nation and it speaks to a nation who is physically capable of dealing with building where we are going as a country. So we want healthy Guyanese, and sport speaks clearly to this aspect of ourselves,” the renowned broadcaster went on to say.
Events Director Mark Scott
The highly-anticipated relay event, which will be hosted at the Leonora Track and Field facility on the West Coast of Demerara on February 16, will cater to athletes of all ages in three categories, namely: Open, Under-20, and Under-16.
Some of the events that would be featured in the relay festival are 4x100M, 4x200M, 2400M medleys, 1500M medleys, 800M medley and 4×4 mixed relays. No field events will be contested at the event.
According to events Director Mark Scott, invitations to athletes in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10, and to all clubs affiliated with the Athletics Association of Guyana, have already been sent out, with entries expected to close on Friday, February 7, at 4pm.
Scot also disclosed the variety of prizes that will be up for grabs, and shared how the 50th Jubilee will tie in with them.
“For the senior category, they will be receiving cash prizes of $35,000, $25,000 and $15,000 as first, second and third place. For the Under-20 and Under-16, they will be receiving medals — a special medal being made with the Golden Jubilee logo on it,” Scott revealed.
Speaking on the AAG’s behalf, First Vice-President Sheryl Hermonstine assured that the meet will be conducted in accordance with the World Athletics guidelines, and the highest standards would apply.
“The birth of this event took place at the National Schools Athletics Championships between the Minister, the Guyana Overseas-Based Sports Association Inc (GOBSA), and the AAG President. However, I want to assure you that the Athletics Association will ensure that this event is run under the guidelines of the IAAF (World Athletics), and that all the officials will be certified and ready for the event,” Hermonstine informed.
Complete list of events:
Open
Male
4X100M
4X200M
2400M medley
