Latest update February 4th, 2025 9:06 AM
“This will be one of the best Games”
IT’S FINALLY HERE!!! AAG launches U-23 Meet, seated from left are Digicel’s Sales Manager, Dwayne Scott, AAG President, Colin Boyce, Digicel’s Public Relations and Events Manager, Shonnet Moore, and Head Coach, Lyndon Wilson, accompanied by athletes (standing from left), Rupert Perry, Niesa Allen, Patrick King and Phillip Drayton.
– Boyce promises at AAG U-23 launch
By Edison Jefford
With the solid backing of telecommunication giants, Digicel, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Under-23 Track and Field Meet was launched yesterday with President of the association, Colin Boyce promising a superb contest.
Boyce first explained the reasons for hosting the competition, which is to bridge the gaps between junior and senior athletes, and also create a pool of “intermediate” athletes for official purposes at both the IAAF and regional levels.
With that aside, and accompanied by some of the most outstanding Under-23 athletes, he then went on to inform the media, after questioning, that the event will be one of the best that the association have ever held since he became President.
“And to answer your questions more directly, we have 32 events and that along with most of the enthusiasm that has been circulating among athletes, means that this will be one of the best Games we have held,” Boyce believed.
Digicel’s Public Relations and Events Manager, Shonnet Moore, Sales Manager, Dwayne Scott and Head Coach, Lyndon Wilson, accompanied Boyce at the head table for a much-anticipated launch of the widely publicised U-23 meet.
In addition, the AAG thought it fit to invite a few of its budding stars, emerging sprinters, Patrick King, Rupert Perry, Niesa Allen and Phillip Drayton, who were also given chance to respond to questions about their preparation and fitness.
Moore, who opened the forum, was quick to point out the company’s commitment to the idea of having an U-23 meet, given the fact that perhaps the largest pool of athletes are in that age bracket of between 16-22, which is the criteria.
She said that Digicel launched at the idea because it was a definite path forward. She said that Digicel will ensure that the event gets maximum publicity on its sponsored mediums, but refused, as usual, to disclose the sponsorship amount.
Scott supported the development of the sport, adding that Digicel is all about “Bigger and Better”.
He said that the way forward is always targeting youth and it was only fitting for the company to support an event that will attract youth.
“This is how a programme should be developed. It is the only way that we will be able to get sport from where it is in Guyana to where it should be.
We were impressed with what the AAG presented to us,” Scott told his audience.
Asked about the readiness of athletes for the meet given the current state of most practice venues owing to the rainy season, Coach Wilson said that he is aware that athletes on the East Coast, Georgetown and Berbice has been preparing.
Wilson indicated that ever since the media broke the event, athletes were questioning him for regular updates on their progress.
He said that the ground preparation has commenced with more work to be done on the Police Sports Club ground.
Boyce added his voice to that aspect of the press conference, making it clear that all those necessary systems to host a successful venture will be put in place before this weekend. It was clear that the AAG will host the event irrespective of rain.
Asked about their response to the event, Perry, who will compete in the both the 100 and 200 metres events, believes that the meet will present him with his opportunity to “shine” since he never had that chance as a junior athlete.
“This is my chance to shine; I never had that chance when I was a junior. It means that I have only been running for about eight months now, but I think I will do well because it’s the forum for that. It is my time,” a robust Perry said.
Conversely, Drayton indicated that they have been awaiting the arrival of the meet.
It was his view that in the absence of adequate space for physical practice, mental preparation is one of the ways for athletes to get psyched up for meets.
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