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MCY&S launches 5km Road Race, Fitness Jog
Athletes from various clubs in Georgetown along with AAG President, Colin Boyce, Director of Sports, Neil Kumar, Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, Gervy Harry and Coach, Robert Chisholm pose for a photo op after the briefing yesterday.
By Juanita Hooper
In an effort of resuscitating long distance running in Guyana, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCY&S) in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) yesterday afternoon officially launched the first of a series of 5km Road Races and Fitness Jogs during a press briefing in the MCY&S Conference Room.
The event will start at 6am Saturday morning from the University of Guyana /East Coast Public Road Junction west into Kitty Public Road, into Carifesta Avenue, into Young Street, left into High Street into Main Street, finishing at the MCY&S.
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar in his comments, stated that the Minister of Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony, who was absent at the briefing, was consistently calling for the 5km Road Race and Fitness Jog to be a monthly activity to promote a healthy lifestyle and keep athletes fit in Guyana.
Kumar, who appreciated the works of the AAG and the National Sports Commission, disclosed that the event will facilitate athletes in the Open Male and Female, Junior Male and Female, Veteran Male 40 years, 55 years and Female 35 years, 45 years, Veteran 55 years and over categories.
Winners in the various categories will be rewarded with trophies as the oldest finisher in the event will be rewarded with a trophy.
President of the AAG, Colin Boyce, who was elated to be a part of the organising team, said that it is unfortunate that Cleveland Forde, US-based Euleen Josiah-Tanner and Alika Morgan will not compete at the 5km since they will be representing Guyana in the CARICOM 10km in St. Lucia this weekend.
In urging the athletes to be good ambassadors, Boyce stated that the 5km Road Race and Fitness Jog will be opened to the public and hoped that the event attracts more participants as the activity continues on a monthly basis.
Permanent Secretary of Ministry, Alfred King considering the event to be a significant one on the planned calendar of activities, stated that a strategic developmental plan is in store for athletics in Guyana.
“The Ministry has been working with the Athletics Association to come up with what is a blue print for athletics development in Guyana; grass roots, ordinary competitions, mass participation and of course activities for elite athletes development,” King said.
King continued by saying that athletes’ development is not anything that can be left to chance.
“It has to be deliberate, meaning that it has to be well structured. When we start talking about the structure, we will have to start looking at the resources,” he added
Stating that the synthetic track, which is presently being constructed in Leonora, West Demerara is projected to be completed in 2013, the PS disclosed that the Ministry will be looking to generate a special club for middle and long distance athletes to provide opportunities for them to improve.
In closing, King stated that the 5km Road Race will be named after accomplished athletes in Guyana.
He urged the public, especially the persons who love to run and jog, to partake in the fitness activity.
All athletes are requested to assemble at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on Main Street at 5am for transportation to the starting point.
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