Junior athletes benefit from West Indian Sports Complex generosity

May 07, 2009 Sports

Managing Director of West Indian Sports Complex Feroze Khan (centre) poses with Roxanna Rigby and Treiston Joseph yesterday.

Managing Director of West Indian Sports Complex Feroze Khan provided another example of his support for sports when he presented three of Guyana’s top junior athletes with a pair of Adidas F5 Training shoes each at the entity’s Head Office on Robb Street.
Those receiving the gifts were national junior sprint champions Treiston Joseph and Roxanna Rigby, while middle and long distance star Ricardo Martin, who was unavoidably absent, will be presented with his at a later date.

Khan, a former member of the Guyana Defence Force, when asked what motivated him to reward the athletes, told Kaieteur Sport that the main reason that prompted the act was after witnessing Martin run bare-footed during the recently staged Inter-Guiana Games where he captured the 5,000 metres title.

“I immediately got a flashback to 38 years ago when I was called to trials to play for the Army in football, but because I was so poor I could not afford to buy a pair of boots so I ended up going to the sessions without a pair of boots and many of my team-mates laughed at me,” he disclosed.
Khan said he was so embarrassed by the situation, expressing that he could not believe such an occurrence was happening so many years after his own predicament.

It bothered him to the extent that he instantly discussed with the Athletic Association of Guyana President, Superintendent Colin Boyce his intention to make the donation to the three outstanding athletes.
An ardent sports enthusiast and participant, Khan further stated that yesterday’s presentation was not the last, but rather he is willing to ink a full one-year sponsorship to the athletes that will include the provision of training and competition gears such as track suits, running shoes, race day apparel and other related necessities.

The Managing Director informed that his involvement in sports came as a result of his past experiences and intends to continue his support to those in need. He has also sponsored many competitions including Badminton, Tennis and Squash in addition to assisting a number of local athletes.
“It is all about giving back to the fraternity and that is why I chose to get into this business,” Khan offered.