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Jan 17, 2012 Sports
With numerous improvements made to sports in Guyana, Parliamentary Secretary,
Steve Ninvalle applauded the Athletics Association of Guyana President, Mr. Colin Boyce, for taking up the baton and successfully running a productive 2011 athletic season. He made the observation during the AAG Annual Awards Ceremony at the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA), Thomas Land last Saturday evening.
“With the AAG running a very good 2011 season, I think that during the course of that time they would have introduced two new competitions and there are not many Associations in this country can boast that they have done something of that nature.”
Ninvalle, who spoke on behalf on the Minister of Sport, said that the development that occurred within athletics in the land of many waters came under Mr. Boyce as the sport has “seen serious development since he has taken up the baton.”
The fact that Guyana will be having the first newly built synthetic track in Leonora, West Coast Demerara for the athletes, which of course is a dream reality for most, Ninvalle urged all the young athletes to be dedicated and discipline as it’s the only way they can excel; “We can supply the facility but we cannot provide the discipline and commitment,” he stated.
He continued, “We may have several facilities but if we do not have committed dedicated youngsters coming into the sport then those facilities will become white elephants.”
As athletics remains one of the top and outstanding sports in this country apart from amateur and maybe professional boxing, the Parliamentary Secretary claimed that he has never recalled any other sport having a Commonwealth gold medal or having an athlete, Aliann Pompey gaining a silver medal for the country.“I do not know of any other sport that has taken us to that height.”
Ninvalle also insisted that Mr. Boyce re-introduced a half or maybe a marathon into athletics again. “I think that would complete the curriculum of the Athletics Association of Guyana.”
The Parliamentary Secretary also promised to donate a monetary prize to AAG selected most promising young athlete of year; this was awarded to Jevina Sampson of Running Brave Athletic Club.
In addition, Digicel events and sponsorship manager, Gavin Hope, who received a special award at the ceremony, promised to prepare an athletic hamper for both Junior (Jevina Straker and Stephan James) and Senior (Natasha Alder and Winston George) athletes of the year as Guyana’s Bigger, Better network plans to do great things for the New Year for athletics. (Juanita Hooper)
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