Stakeholders ready for electrifying AP Invitational on Saturday

…US$1000 incentive for female record-breakers

By Jemima Holmes

Guyana’s best and most vibrant athletes will converge at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora on Saturday afternoon for what has quickly become the most anticipated athletics meet, the Aliann Pompey Invitational.
With news circulating that multiple international athletes are travelling to Guyana to participate in the meet, various stakeholders gathered on Thursday to pledge their commitment to a successful meet.

Over the four years of its existence, the Aliann Pompey Invitational has grown to become a staple in the athletics arena, and this is a fact that the former Guyanese Olympian is very proud of. Highlighting some of Guyana’s current talents, Pompey explained why she is adamant about giving athletes a platform.
“We have Aliyah Abrams, Travis Collins, Emmanuel Archibald, Winston George, and a few others that are ranked in the top 50 in the world, so it would be remiss (of me) if I don’t mention that we have a lot of Guyanese competing this year; and that’s because we are that good. The Guyanese athletes have come a long way. for years I’ve been at the Olympic Games, where it was just me, and that’s not the case now. We have a great group of athletes,” Pompey explained.

Following Pompey’s lead, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, stressed on the importance of giving local athletes exposure. He has pledged the Association’s commitment to running a high-standard track meet.
“We at the Athletics Association of Guyana are honoured to partner with Aliann in this venture, because it speaks of the growth of track and field in Guyana; and we’re going to ensure, when the athletes go out on the track that day, that the results are authentic, that the meet runs on time, and (that) all the other technical aspects are held to the highest possible standard, because all the results from this meet (are) going to be honoured by the IAAF,” Hutson detailed.
Saturday’s track meet is being fuelled by a number of sponsors, who have all brought something different to the table. Collaboration with the Ministry of Communities will ensure that athletes have a clean environment in which to compete, while Sentinel Security has pledged a prize of US$1000 to any female athlete who breaks a national record.
Meanwhile, Banks DIH’s Communications Manager Troy Peters used his time with the microphone to speak to the quality of the event. He noted that this is one reason why the company continues to stay on board.
“We are anxiously awaiting Saturday’s event. I was there last year, and I can’t wait to get back there (this year); because we’ve seen an event that has grown every year. It’s getting better, we’re seeing some top athletes trying to be a part of the event, and we’re quite happy that Aliann has seen it fit to return home to organise such an event,” Peters said.
Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, was present at the event. He predicted that, in years to come, the meet would attract more international sportsmen and women, thus improving the level of track and field in Guyana. He also detailed how Government has contributed to this goal.
“We recognise that once we continue to lend support to these events, a few years from now, the Aliann Pompey Invitational will be the meet that happens in Guyana that persons regionally and internationally will come to compete and be part of. It is part of our commitment to provide an environment in which our athletes have opportunities to compete,” Jones said.
Tickets for the event, to be staged on Saturday, are priced at $500, and patrons can enjoy a 50% discount if, before the meet, they purchase tickets, which are available at the AAG’s Light Street office.