Brenessa Thompson (left) and Kadecia Baird
By Treiston Joseph
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will be searching for ways to aid sprinters Brenessa Thompson and Kadecia Baird in terms of their funding ahead of the World Championship that begins on August 4 in London.
Both World Championship qualifiers made public their frustrations with the lack of funding coming out of Guyana.
News Room Sport had reported on the issue at the weekend, noting that both girls, who were in the country for the Aliann Pompey Invitational on July 15, were scheduled to have a sit down with AAG President Aubrey Hutson to discuss their state of affairs on July 16.
Hutson, while not divulging much details of that meeting, gave a comment on the situation involving the two Texas A&M college athletes.
“I am still working on it. I met with both athletes and their parents on Sunday last. It is only at that meeting that I received a request and was given a clear understanding of their situation. We have to come up with the necessary ways and means to get it done. We also have to fund three tickets to London. It will not be a walk in the park without the GOA, GOG and the private sector,” Hutson pinpointed.
Both girls have indicated to News Room Sport that the lack of funding have hampered their preparations while noting that they have not been receiving Olympic Solidarity Funding.
Baird received the funding up until June last year, while Thompson was never in receipt of the fund even though she ran at the 2016 Olympics.
However, Hutson shed some light on the Olympic fund. “The Olympic Solidarity ended in Rio. The new one is about to start. They have to apply and if accepted, the funds will kick in later in the year.”
Both athletes have qualified for the 2017 World Championships- Thompson in the 100m and Baird in the 200m.
With little time left, Hutson is calling on all stakeholders to help the process of ensuring that both girls are in the best possible shape to represent Guyana, adding that he believes in the ability of both athletes.
