4th Independence Track meet launched

May 08, 2019 Sports

The fourth annual Independence Track and Field Championships, which has become an ann

From left, Esan Griffith, Linden Jones, David Thomas, Ann Hermonstine, Chris Jones and Aubrey Hutson pose for a photo during yesterday’s launch at the National Racquet Center.

ual event, will be run off next weekend on May 18 and 19 at the Leonora Track and Field Center. The Championship was the brain child of the Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association and since its inception has grown to be a highly anticipated event in the track and field community.
Speaking at the launch yesterday at the National Racquet Center on Woolford Avenue, President of the Overseas Based Sports Association (OBSA), David Thomas, disclosed that the organisers have sought to make the event more inclusive by gathering athletes from all ten administrative regions.
Head of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, revealed that his association will stick to the usual age categories but the younger athletes will be encouraged to participate in multiple events.
The age groups for the competition will be under-9, 9 – 11 years, 12-14 years, 15-17 years, 18 years and above and the Masters: 35 years and over.
Meanwhile, Director of Sport; Christopher Jones, was present at the launch and on behalf of the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport pledged the entities’ continued commitment to assisting the event.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Linden Jones of the Guyana Committee of Services (GCS), while ensuring his support, commended the organisers of the event, “We see this as an opportunity to make our presence felt, so we are going to be sponsoring one or more events along with Guybisco, to make this tournament an even bigger success. We want to congratulate the team that is organizing this event, we think it’s a timely venture and we look forward for a real competitive competition,” he shared.
The GSC has been actively sponsoring sporting events and athletes in their respective ventures. Other members of the Committee are: Leslie Blacks, Eugune Noel and Joseph Ramkumar.
Amongst the sponsors of the Independence Championships are: Forrester Lumber yard, Banks DIH, Guyana Committee of Services, Guybisco and Sybil’s of the USA. A small entrance fee of $300 will be charged on both competition days.