Five clubs registered for Gold Striders Games

Jun 10, 2010 Sports

– Gittens says he has time to pay for ground

By Edison Jefford

Director of the Gold Striders’ Games, Derill Gittens told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that, so far, five clubs have registered for this weekend’s event, but the marquee Police Progressive Youth Club and Guyana Defence Force have not yet registered.
Gittens indicated that Royal Youth Movements, Running Brave, Ruralites, Mercury and Enmore have all registered for the mega track and field meet. However, he is still to confirm participation of the two clubs named earlier though the deadline has passed.
“[Lyndon] Wilson (Police Coach) said to me that he would have registered his club today but he did not call me. All registration should have been completed yesterday (Wednesday),” Gittens is on record of telling this newspaper via telephone yesterday.
In a separate interview, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Colin Boyce stated that there were some amount of concern among clubs as it relates to the security of their prize money, which is a primary reason why some have been slow to register.
Asked about the issue, Gittens was very vocal on the subject. He said that the starter’s gun would not be fired at the meet if he cannot guarantee the athletes that upon completion of the meet their respective clubs would be in receipt of their prize monies.
“Gold Striders would not allow a race to start if the monies and cheques are not at the venue for the various clubs to collect after the Games are completed. The money is for the development of the clubs and we want to ensure that they receive it,” he said.
The concern over the prize monies had been raised after it was publicised that the meet will be dolling out $1M in cash and prizes. Gittens had made that revelation in a previous interview with this newspaper last week and had fliers with that information.
But apparently there was some reservation over lodging the money in the coffers of the athletics association, which is normal procedure. He was not inclined to lodge the money as is customary for private promotion groups that wish to host track meets.
His reservation raised questions among the association’s hierarchy that is made up of reps from various clubs, as to whether or not the prize money really exists. But Gittens sought to put those concerns to rest, stating that the funders have good credibility.
“Just Sports is an organisation that is seeking to organise such ventures to develop clubs. They’re the ones that will be donating the money,” Gittens informed, adding that he will not get into such activities that allow his character and credibility to be questionable.
Asked when he will pay for the ground (Police Ground, Eve Leary) after investigations revealed that he has not yet done that, the Gold Striders Head said: “the ground is not an issue. I can pay for the ground anytime before the meet once I get the confirmation letter, which I have”.
Kaieteur Sport understands that Gittens got the confirmation letter on Wednesday but up to press time yesterday, he had not paid for the venue. However, he gave all assurance that the meet will be on this weekend as he continue the administrative work.