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IAAF South American 10k Road Classic
International atmosphere expected
Claude Blackmore
By Edison Jefford
Overseas entries for Sunday’s marquee International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) South American Athletics Confederation 10k Road Classic closed yesterday at the Guyana Olympic Association (G.O.A) headquarters.
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has received confirmation of participation from Trinidad and Tobago (eight athletes), Suriname (four athletes), Brazil (two athletes), Haiti (two athletes) and Grenada (one athlete).
Other Caribbean countries have given notice of an intention to participate; these include Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent, Cuba and Antigua and Barbuda. Athletes from these countries have not confirmed attendance.
The South American countries that have indicated a willingness to compete are Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Paraguay. The third stage of the race is slated for Panama at a date to be announced later.
Entries and payment of fees for local athletes closes on Friday at Olympic House, located at Church and Peter Rose Streets, Queenstown. The race is expected to start promptly at 4:00pm Sunday at the Police Sports Club ground.
AAG President, Claude Blackmore told the media at a Press Conference on Saturday that he had given invitations to those countries personally at a meeting earlier this year. He observed that the initial response was overwhelming.
Additionally, the AAG president informed that more needs to be done at the local level to have a successful race while announcing that two international delegates will be in Guyana to function in different capacities.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Durly Lucas will work along with Shirley Hooper in the area of competition management while Brazil’s Helio Gesta de Melo is to help facilitate the organisation of the meet. “At the local level, we have to try to do more. We are looking at improving the junior and masters’ categories.
We will be hiring a 30 seat bus for the athletes from Linden. Every district will get something,” Blackmore assured. The AAG has sent letters to the various embassies among other stakeholders requesting participation.
In addition, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy was asked to assist in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle at the event.
Asked what some new features of the race are since it was updated to take on the IAAF designation this year, Blackmore outlined a ‘call room’, ‘formal opening’, and an ‘awards ceremony’ as three novel aspects.
The ‘call room’ (or athletes’ area) will be located at the Police Officers’ Annex where all participating athletes will uplift competition numbers, water and will be able to warm up between the Annex and Camp Street.
The opening ceremony is to feature a recitation of the national anthem, two physical displays and speeches from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and G.O.A President, K. A. Juman Yassin.
Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle has given confirmation to start the race. Athletes are expected to be escorted to the starting line ten minutes before commencement.
The top three finishers in junior category will receive an increased amount of US$ 300, $200 and $100 while the top five finishers in the Open and International race gets US$ 1000, $600, $400, $300, and $200.
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