Cyclists lose out again as RBC forced to call off race

Feb 05, 2009 Sports

Sponsors disgusted

By Franklin Wilson
Once again local cyclists have been left to hold the wrong end of the stick as a result of administrative lapses and poor decision making.

USA based Tony Chung of Chung Auto Repair, a former cyclist who rode with the likes of Neville Hunte and Victor Rutherford was intent on giving back something to the sport he loves and had planned to do by sponsoring a 40mile road race. Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) is the organisers for the event, which should have been held on Sunday on the East Bank of Demerara.

The necessary letters were written and submitted to the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) by RBC President Brian Allen to secure the proposed date. RBC requested two days, February 7 & 8 since they were also going to host a race programme at the National Park in memory of the Late George ‘Boy Blue’ Cumberbatch, who was a Vice President of the club and an Executive Member of the GCF.

Allen was subsequently informed that the said days were already booked by Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club (CWCC). National Coach Hassan Mohamed who is President of the club decided to give up Saturday (7th) since Cumberbatch and him were very close but could not give up Sunday since it is set aside to host the Annual Mashramani 40-miler on the West Coast of Demerara.

Mohamed disclosed that his plans were too far gone for him to forego Sunday but that RBC can still run off their race in the afternoon since his is set to pedal off at 09:00hrs.

Mohamed also said that his request for the dates was made to the GCF since January 2nd.
RBC President Brian Allen, who was obviously distraught with the way the matter has been dealt with, is laying the blame squarely at the feet of the GCF and in his words, “They have not acted as they should have.”

He said here is an overseas sponsor who is willing to put back something into the sport but because of appalling communication on the part of the Federation nothing will happen.

“I personally believe that the President should have intervened in the matter and give priority where it is due but this was not done. I had no problem with the clash of dates but I believe that the club should have been notified in good time that Sunday was not available so we could have communicated with the overseas sponsor accordingly.”

Allen further disclosed that an email from the chairperson of the GCF’s Racing Committee was sent to him on January 30, but he saw it on February 2nd.

“At least a phone call could have been made along with the mail for purposes of expediency.”
The GCF President Hector Edwards had said that he was allowing the Race Committee to function and was not going to interfere. But Allen is of the view that he should have stepped in and offered advice in this particular situation.

This is now water under the bridge and RBC is crying foul since a few short months ago due to administrative bungling on the part of the GCF again, they were unable to host another race meet that was sponsored by Friends of Anguilla to the tune of $300,000.

Chung was visibly upset with the manner in which the entire matter was handled and this resulted in him and RBC pulling the plug on the race since his family had already put plans in place for a memorial service on Sunday afternoon in memory of his mother.

He also stated that he and his sister had to pay extra monies for overweight since they brought in a number of tee shirts for the race which should have been.

Among the other sponsors who had contributed were N&C Chung Auto Repair, K&W Chung Auto Repair, Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products, Philmack Auto Repair, Reliable Constructors, DJ Samuels International, Sunil’s Restaurant and New York Cyclists.

Sunday’s race which was set to start at the Ruimveldt Arch proceeding to the Soesdyke Junction and back to the starting line for the finish, would have seen the first ten (10) riders receiving attractive cash awards but that will now happen next year.

Chung did say that they would be back in 2010 and trusts that the administrative end of things would not be a deterrent next time around.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s National Park event to celebrate the life of the late George ‘Boy Blue’ Cumberbatch is still on.

Races on the day will be for category 1, 2, 3, 4, juniors, juveniles and 12-14 riders.
The feature clash will be the 30-lap open race which is expected to attract all the leading cyclists in Guyana. Twelve prime prizes will be at stake in this race.

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