All pieces in place for CARICOM 10K

Jun 06, 2009 Sports

“This is one of the events that we have all the pieces covered and we are pretty much ready to host,” Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony boasted at a press briefing yesterday to apprise the media of Guyana’s preparations to stage the 5th Annual CARICOM 10K Race set for June 28.
The Minister, along with Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, Deputy Programme Manager Sports and Development of CARICOM, John Campbell, Consultant Sports and Development of CARICOM, George Rutherford and President of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG), Colin Boyce attended the meeting and gave a brief insight on the benefits of participating in the event.

The Minister said participation is more than just sports; it has to do with health as well, adding that people must understand the importance of good health.
Dr. Anthony disclosed that with the rapidly increasing cost to the health sector in many countries due to rise in obesity and other cardiovascular diseases, it is important that the Caribbean community as a whole become actively involved in fitness programmes to stem the increase in illnesses that is having a negative impact in the region.
“The Heads of CARICOM were sensitized on the specifics of the various diseases and after several deliberations they decided to allow each member state to host the event” Dr. Anthony declared.
He pointed out that all categories of the society have been catered for including school children, physically challenged, oldest participant, visiting nationals and the international segment.
The emphasis according to the Minister is to get as many students out as possible and it is expected, that there will be a full turnout in this category.

The Minister said that to enhance the impact of the event, they are hoping to package the race via DVD and distribute it across the region aimed at sending a message on the importance of keeping fit through participation in sports and its benefits. He called on the public to come out and line the course so that the athletes could feel energized from the support and possibly lower the existing records.
Campbell in his remarks spoke of the genesis of the race which started in 2005 in St. Lucia and which was agreed on to help promote regional integration among member states and the importance of Health.
According to Campbell, the race usually precedes the Heads of Government Meeting and has also been held in St. Kitts, Barbados, Antigua and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, before coming to Guyana.
“So far, seven members of CARICOM have confirmed participation in this year’s undertaking and many more are expected to do so by the entry deadline.

Boyce’s entity along with the CARICOM Secretariat has been mandated to organise the event. Reporting on the progress to date, Boyce said that every aspect of preparation is already in place and it is now a question of which countries would be sending representatives to the race.
So far, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat, Dominica and Barbados have confirmed their participation, but the general belief of the officials is that many more will do so shortly.
Rutherford in his address revealed that the Local Organising Committee is on course to host a very successful event and thanked the sponsors for coming on board.
He added that very soon, the LOC will be placing banners around Georgetown, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and other locations across the country to provide much needed mileage to those sponsors.

According to him, they’ve sent out invitations to many notable personalities in the society calling on them to come out and participate in the race.
Among those who invitations were sent to include are, President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister Anthony, members of civil society and the media.
Guyana will be represented by Cleveland Forde (Men) and defending female champion Alika Morgan.
The race is expected to start outside the CARICOM Secretariat on the Railway Embankment and finish at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary.
Only winners in the respective categories in the international segment will receive monetary prizes, with first place set to collect US$1200, second $800 and third $500.
All the other categories will be presented with prizes.

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