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Linden set sights on President’s/Jefford Classic title
With Winston Caesar Jr. clocking the fastest 100m time this year and Nathaniel Giddings undefeated at the junior level, Linden could be on course to turn in an improved performance at Sunday’s President’s/Jefford Track and Field Classic.
Winston Caesar ran 10.4 seconds at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Under-23 Championships while Giddings made his international debut at the South American 10km Road Race in Suriname and at the Junior CARIFTA Games.
Nathaniel Giddings
Winston Caesar Jr.
Both athletes will be among, what Coach, Johnny Gravesande called ‘a very strong team’ from the Mining Town on Sunday. Linden is expected to come up against keen rivalries from the City, including National Park United, Police Progressive Youth Club and Guyana Defence Force.
Last year the Mining Town finished fourth of the competing clubs and will certainly be keen to ensure that they maximize the home-turf advantage. The showdown is expected to take place at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground from 2pm on Sunday.
“We have some athletes that came through from last year and are expected to keep us in the points on Sunday. We have to be smart and ensure that we have representation,” Gravesande said when asked to comment on his team’s preparations yesterday.
Apart from the 100m and 200m races, Caesar will also compete in the jumps while Giddings will battle in the middle and distance events. Gravesande said that he has a few female surprises but he will not disclose names because he wants to encourage all his athletes.
Caesar will come against a strong field in the sprints with arguably the fastest senior in Guyana at the moment, Rupert Perry and Quincy Clarke, from Defence Force, among the starters. Police will have Keith Roberts among its entrants in the race.
Under the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Rules, which the AAG is an affiliate of; athletes under 16 years cannot compete for monetary prizes. The President’s/Jefford Classic is an open championships for athletes over 16 years of age.
“Last year, some of our athletes could not compete because they were under the age, but they are well within the grade this year and that means the competition will be interesting,” Gravesande told this newspaper yesterday.
The fact that the Classic levels the playing field for athletes over 16 years means that it is one of the serious places to decide who Guyana’s best athletes are. The platform is set for what is billed as one of the greatest showdowns in local track and field.
But apart from the individual rivalries, can Linden rise from their number four ranking in the competition? Gravesande believes that they will, which means that they have to beat three of the best clubs in Guyana to accomplish what would be a remarkable feat.
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