By Treiston Joseph
Incumbent President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson is optimistic of returning as president of the association when the elections are held later this month.
Hutson told News Room Sport that the response from clubs in seeking re-election has been “favourable”.
“I’m not here to campaign for the office of the president because it’s no easy work, it takes away a lot of time from what I have to do with my business here but I am always willing to serve the sport.
“I think from discussions with the clubs so far I think I had favourable response from most of them, I haven’t spoken to all of them but the nomination process and the person who collects it is the General Secretary and until she opens the letters only then I will know,” Hutson noted.
Nevertheless, Hutson, who has come under some criticism during his tenure, which started in January 2013, asked his critics to be honest about the job he has done.
“The people who may not necessarily support me personally or in my style, I ask them to look back at one thing; has this president not given his all, all under any other president or more than any other president would have given to this sport in time and in kind?
“Also I think I have been a president for the athletes and if you are not for the athletes then we can’t see eye to eye and I think that would be a problem for some people,” Hutson pinpointed.
Meanwhile, Hutson also identified what was the trademark of his administration over the past four years at the helm of athletics.
“At least one thing I think we have eliminated during my time is that no athlete had to go out there with letters from us seeking sponsorship and I think for nothing else we have done great in that area… sometimes it required financial wizardry, sometimes my personal finances, but IAAF has recognised us,” Hutson stressed.
In addition, Hutson noted that going forward once he returns as president he will be aiming to develop the senior category in order for athletes to have easier means of training especially through tertiary institutions.
The AAG’s elections will be held on January 22 where nine clubs will have the opportunity to either re-elect or elect a new president for another four-year term.
