Stakeholders launch South American U-20 Championships

May 13, 2017 Sports

Stakeholders gathered yesterday at the National Resource Centre to launch the South American Under-20 Championships, which will be held in Guyana at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora, June 3-4.

Stakeholders launch the South American Under-20 Championships at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue yesterday.

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) announced that approximately 350 athletes from across South America are expected to descend in Guyana for the Junior Championship, stating that all 13 countries have already confirmed their participation.
According to the AAG, some countries have already submitted their numerical entries and the others have until Monday to send in their final entries. AAG President, Aubrey Hutson, sought to reassure the readiness of Guyana to host the event.
“We know that there is always the question of whether we can do this; is Guyana ready for this? Guyana is going to be as ready as any other nation in South America,” Hutson said, adding that his message is that the association wants to make the competition a reality.
“We must make this happen, make this happen in a big way for Guyana; for our athletes. We must do this for national pride. We must convince the rest of the world that we are ready to hold not only this South American Championships, but we may go on to host CARIFTA, Pan Am and CAC Games,” he mused.
Hutson informed that the athletes will be staying at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel. He said that most of the preparatory works still to be done includes improvements at the NTFC with several defects that have prevailed over the years.
Hutson said that those will not be tolerated at this International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) sanctioned competition. Those necessities include the ordering of security cages for the Discus and Hammer throw areas; the ordering of additional backup Hurdles, as well as extra Starting Blocks, among other needs.
With the competition just about three weeks away, Hutson did not say what the status of the procurement of these items is. One of the Coaches working with the local athletes named for the Games, Lyndon Wilson said that their preparation is on course.
“Everything is on track,” Wilson said. The athletes are currently being encamped every weekend to train collectively; the final team is expected to have “over 30 athletes,” according to the Coaches.
Hutson said that the AAG will be looking to market the event in a big way, working with Global Technology to set up an official website and social media pages for the event. He said that Advertising will roll out soon.
Director of Sports, Christopher Jones attended the forum where he pledged Government’s support for the event. Sponsors include the National Data Management Authority, which will be supplying internet for the event, which will see several mobile hotspots set up at the track and Banks DIH under their Rain Forest Water, Powerade and Malta brands.

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