President’s /Jefford Track & Field Classic Digicel confirms support

Aug 19, 2010 Sports

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The President’s /Jefford Track & Field Classic received a significant boost when Digicel officially confirmed its support via a Press Briefing which was held, at the Company’s Head Office in Kingston yesterday.
Present at the occasion were Digicel’s Public Relations / Events Manager Shonnet Moore, President of the Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana Superintendent of Police Colin Boyce, co-ordinator Edison Jefford, Head Coaches Lyndon Wilson and Anson Ambrose and some of the athletes who’re scheduled to participate at the August 29 event slated for the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.
Speaking at the briefing, Moore said the Company’s involvement should not only be seen as part of its ‘Summer’ events, but more importantly as a direct contribution to the development of sports in this country.
She also reminded that the support for the upcoming Classic is not the first time that they’ve been involved in athletics, recalling the offering of assistance to the Under-23 Championships that was held earlier in the year.
Boyce in his remarks disclosed that Digicel is the major sponsor of the Classic and they’ve pledged the first and second place prize monies and trophies along with the outfitting of officials, promotion of the event with its branding, marketing aspects and the trophies for the outstanding male and female athletes.
He also assured those present that the top four prizes for the respective clubs have already been secured, adding that clubs and athletes could feel a sense of comfort and just go out and concentrate on preparations.
Boyce said that the venue is in the process of being prepared and visits will be made during the coming week to ensure that it is being done to the organisers’ satisfaction.
The AAG President also confirmed that Aliann Pompey is expected for the event, while strenuous efforts are being made to have Linden-born Marian Burnett present as well.
“Marian had indicated to me sometime ago that this year could very well be her last on the international circuit and I fell it is only fitting for this nation be given the opportunity to see her in live action before she calls it a day,” Boyce expressed.
He added that it was the same MSC that she started her career at and it would be a fitting tribute to see her in action at the ground that was instrumental in moulding her for a relatively successful career in athletics.
According to Boyce, the Classic is open to athletes 16 years and over and they are hoping that the best local athletes take to the starting line and give the fans a good treat.
He reckoned that with feedback received indicating that most of the country’s best athletes have confirmed participation fans will not be able to sit in the stands and easily identify a winner.
Ambrose, who coaches Royal Youth Movement Club, said that his charges are all geared for the Meet and they are working feverishly to complete thorough preparations to hopefully dethrone current champions Progressive Youth Club.
“When we heard about the Classic, we immediately became excited to have the opportunity to perform,” he said.
Wilson intimated that his club is not taking any other for granted so they are in full
preparations mode. He called on all fans of athletics and even those that just love sports to come out and support the event, especially with the opportunity to see one of Guyana’s most recognised international athletes Aliann Pompey.
Jefford touching on the Classic’s genesis informed that the idea to hold such an event was borne out of a conversation he had with Boyce sometime last year and it has finally come to fruition.
“We wanted to have a forum where athletes could feel akin to that which obtains at the international level so it will be a Meet with a difference that will be run under floodlights,” Jefford disclosed.
He said they decided that it was best to have the Meet sanctioned by the AAG so that it could be governed by the rules and regulations of the local organisation and that of the IAAF.

‘Players fully understand importance of matches against T&T’ – Manager

Says Harper’s involvement should be a big boast

By Sean Devers
As the Guyanese intensify their preparations for next month’s Airtel Champions League 20/20 cricket tournament in South Africa, Manager Carl Moore says that his players understand the importance of the two practice matches set for August 28 & 29 at the Guyana National Stadium.
Both matches will be played under lights from 20:00hrs and with the planned practice matches in Barbados canceled due to the unavailability of a full strength Barbados team, the match will be Guyana’s final practice game before they face the Royal Challenges Bangalore in their opening match on September 12.
Moore, Guyana’s Manager when they won the inaugural Stanford 20/20 tournament in 2006 and last month when they captured the Caribbean Cup 20/20 to qualify for South Africa, said team spirit is very high and that the players, who are all staying at the Princess Hotel until they depart for Africa via Barbados and London, are very comfortable and working hard on their game.
President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh informed that former West Indies off-spinner and Coach Roger Harper will be involved in the team’s preparation but will not travel to South Africa.
Moore said Harper’s involvement should make a big impact on the Ramnaresh Sarwan led side since he bring to the team a wealth of experience as a coach and player.
Lennox Cush, the only player with a hat-trick (twice) is the only player in the 15-man squad absent from the team’s sessions and Moore told this newspaper that the experienced all-rounder was given permission to represent the USA National team in Italy and will return home on Monday.
The team has been doing physical sessions and practicing at the Guyana National Stadium and Moore says the two matches against Trinidad and Tobago should provide a massive mental test for his players.
“This might be a practice match but it is big….it is huge. We expect a sell-out crowd and they will all be expecting us to beat Trinidad again and prove that our wins against them were no fluke. They (T&T) have been talking a lot and we know that they will be out to prove that they can beat us,” Moore said.
Moore also said those fans that missed seeing Guyana play in this year’s regional 20/20 competition will have a chance to do so and would be expecting a keen contest.
“This is a very important game for us since we would want a high level of competition just before we leave for South Africa and Trinidad should provide that. It is also important for our confidence that we win and take that momentum to South Africa and everybody knows that,” Moore added.
Guyana beat T&T in the 2006 final and again in the semi-finals this year to win both competitions and did not face T&T when that team won the 2008 Regional 20/20 tournament as they suffered their only loss in 11 regional 20/20 matches when they went down to Jamaica in the semis.
Tickets, which cost $1,000 for each night, should soon be available and GCB Head Chetram Singh yesterday confirmed that CMC is showing an interest in providing Radio and TV coverage of the two games which are being billed as ‘grudge matches’ as Guyana aim to show that action speaks louder than words and once again silence the Trinis with victories next weekend.

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