Track and field events to light up G/Town, West Coast this weekend

…Felix Sanchez’s influence to be felt at GOBSA Track and Field Classic

Staples on the track and field calendar for Guyana’s Independence season, two athletics events are billed for separate venues this weekend, both with the aim of providing development platforms for the nation’s athletes.
First on Saturday, the Guyana Overseas-Based Sports Association (GOBSA) will host its ninth annual Track and Field Classic at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), West Coast Demerara.
Meet Director for the GOBSA event, Mark Scott detailed what to expect while revealing a new addition that was made, as a result of Dominican Republic Olympian Felix Sanchez visiting Guyana.
“Now, we have four categories Under-12, Under-15, Under-18 and 18+. So far, we have 286 athletes registered for this meet, we have overseas-based Guyanese that are on scholarship, they’re here for the meet. For example, we have Cassie Small and Revon Williams, those are two names who will be competing on Saturday,” Scott informed.
“I can say for the Under-12 and Under-15, they will receive medals. Also, for the Under-18, they will receive some prizes and cash vouchers and the 18+, they receive cash.”

Scott went on to divulge Sanchez’ influence on the meet, “This year, we’re going to have 110m hurdles for the males 18+ and 100m for the women. This is the brainchild of what we had recently with the training programme with Mr Sanchez, the two-time Olympian. It was not initially on the programme, he thought it best that it should be included in this programme. So, come out and see the progress of our athletes.”
Sharing more about the event was Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) President Sheryl Hermonstine who illustrated the effort that went in to its hosting, noting that the athletes were excited to compete.
The AAG President shared, “This is the ninth edition of this Independence Track and Field Classic; it’s the brainchild of Mr David Thomas, who is always very excited to have this event run, I know that he works hard overseas to ensure the smooth running of the event takes place in Guyana. Like Mark said, we already have 286 athletes and I must say it’s one of the largest events that we’ve had in Guyana for track and field. The athletes are excited to have the meet.”
Meanwhile, AAG Assistant General Secretary Kenisha Headley shared what to expect from Sunday’s Independence Road Race that will be facilitated by the Ex- Athletes and Friends.

“So far, we have just over 100 athletes in the three categories. We have the smaller children doing the one mile, we have the Under-18 doing the 5K and then we have the seniors doing the 10K. we are expecting keen competition, you know, you have persons like Marlon Nicholson, Nicholas Daw, Odida Parkinson, Jelicia Wright, Leana Charles; those are athletes that are usually competing, so we expect keen competition and we know the rivalry between the little ones is always exciting to see who gets to the finish line first,” Headley shared with Guyana Times Sport.
She added, “So, we’re expecting a good day on Sunday, hoping that the weather holds so that’ll make it even more exciting for us.”
The Track and Field Classic on Saturday is set to going at 09:30h with a $500 admission fee for children and a $1000 admission fee for adults.
Meanwhile, the 5K and 10K road races will get going at 13:30h on Sunday. Prizes for those events will see the winner walking away with a massive trophy and a $60,000 cash prize. A 43- inch television is also among the senior category prizes while medals, tablets, bicycles, bags, shoes, and other items are among the prizes for the younger participants.