Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:00 AM
AAG extends condolences to Jefford family
The President, Executive Council, Clubs, Technical Officials of the Athletics Association of Guyana and indeed, the entire Athletics Fraternity join in expressing heartfelt sympathy to the Jefford Family on the sudden passing of former National athlete – Mr. Elton Jefford.
Former National athlete, Mr. Elton Jefford
During his short life Elton had a hectic Athletics and general sports life in such disciplines as Cricket and Dominoes, to name just two of them.
Coming from very humble beginnings, he first emerged as an athlete who would climb to wear National colours in Athletics, when as a young student from Kwakwani Secondary School, he emerged as a top performer at the National Schools Athletics Championships and one can still visualise the 400m Boys under-17 event between himself and Vigil Lewis at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.
Against this background, it was not surprising that he was soon snatched up by Guymine following his school career, a time when Athletics was in every Public Corporation, including Guysuco.
Sports lovers would remember the annual Guymine vs Guystac clashes in a number of sporting disciplines of which Athletics and Football were the integral competitions.
The Athletics Association of Guyana then enlarged the Guymine/Guystac competition to include Guysuco and the Joint Services which was called “The Games”.
President of the AAG remembers being Manager with Dennis Collison the Coach of a National team which included Elton to participate in a Meet in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the following weekend in Antigua and Barbuda.
While in St. Vincent on day 2 of the competition it rained heavily and on resumption all the lanes were washed out and Organisers decided to have events run scratched.
In a jostle for the inner curb in the 200m Elton and another athlete fell and so bad was his fall that he had to be hospitalised for two days.
On his release from hospital, Coach Collison decided that he would return with young Elton but his vehement protestations against it, the Management team decided to take him along to Antigua.
After his competitive days, he tried his hands at Coaching but soon gave that up as he felt those under his charge were not displaying the dedication and discipline to be successful athletes and he was just wasting his time.
Elton has left this mortal plain but whenever Athletics is being spoken of in the period of the late 70s and 80s, his would most certainly have to be mentioned. May His Soul Rest in Peace.
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