Youth and Junior Championships slated for this weekend

It will be a busy weekend in the world of track and field as the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) prepares to host the 2018 installment of the National Youth and Junior Championships.
The action, which kicks off at 10hrs at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, will attract athletes from Guyana’s top clubs, robustly vying for supremacy and a chance to represent Guyana at the Youth Olympic Games.

President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, explained that this year’s competition is even more important because of the Olympic factor. Owing to the inability of the international authorities to host the qualifiers for the Youth Olympics in Colombia and Guatemala, those trials will now be held locally. As such, the AAG has made the decision to use the National Youth and Junior Championships as Guyana’s qualifying platform.
The Olympic stakes are even higher, due to an increase in Guyana’s Universality spots. Previously, Guyana had just one spot, but after pleas from Aubrey Hutson, that number has been increased to three.
The results of this weekend’s track meet will be forwarded to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the International Olympic Committee, so they can ascertain who will receive the Universality spots.
Anticipating an intense competition come Saturday and Sunday, the AAG President is urging patrons to come out and support the youths on their quest.
“We’re encouraging people to come out and support our athletes at this weekend’s National Youth and Junior Championships. We’ve been flooded with a hive of activity in track and field over the last couple of months, and we’re now getting back into competition mode since CARIFTA. So, please come out; please support,” Hutson stated.