GDF Inter Unit Athletic Championships makes return after 10 year lull

Oct 16, 2008 Sports

11 units to ballet for supremacy tomorrow @

Camp Ayanganna

Lots of excitement is to be expected tomorrow, when athletes representing 11 Units of the Guyana Defence Force compete for top honors at the Finals of the GDF’s 2008 Inter-Unit Athletics and Track & Field Championships at the GDF’s Sports Club Ground at Base Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands.

The air was nothing short of electric as many athletes took to the field Tuesday and Wednesday for the Standard Points (SP) events which marked the beginning of the Sports. The SP events are designed to provide an opportunity for every soldier to participate.

Each athlete who completes a particular event within the relevant qualifying time and distance earns one point for his or her Unit.

The passion which the current participants have displayed and the support received over the last two days, belies the fact that it has been close to a decade since the GDF has staged these Championships.

Tomorrow’s championship finals will include competition in the traditional events such as the 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500 meters and 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m relays for males and females.

There will also be the Tug-O-War along with races for Senior Officers as well as for the Army’s civilian workers. Novelty events such as the Lime-in Spoon and Three-Legged races will be featured.

The GDF has a proud tradition of having contributed to the national pool of athletes who have done Guyana proud in several sporting disciplines, including cricket, football, boxing and athletics.

The athletics and track and field championships is making a comeback now and will henceforth remain a signature activity in the Force’s calendar.

The championship with its packed programme, to which the public is cordially invited to attend, is more than likely to produce quality performances and much entertainment.

It is anticipated that the GDF championship will produce many athletes who will pose a stiff challenge to their peers in the sister Services at this year’s Joint Services Championships. Members of the public are asked to access the venue by using the Carifesta Avenue entrance.