Additional incentives for athletes at fourth AP Invitational

In a short space of time, the Aliann Pompey Invitational has earned the reputation of being one of the country’s leading sport events, attracting the best local athletes and top regional and international names.

This year is gearing up to be much of the same, albeit with the addition of fantastic cash incentives for the outstanding performers.

The fourth annual showpiece is set for July 6 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, and Coordinator Aliann Pompey on Friday engaged media operatives at the National Racquet Centre, where she highlighted some of the different things that athletes and fans can expect this year.

With financial support from local firm Sentinel Security Inc., US$1,000 would be given to every Guyanese female athlete who breaks a national record at the event.

“So the additional incentive I think is something very positive, and that’s in addition to any prize money. So if they win an event and break a national record the thousand US dollars is in addition to that prize structure,” Pompey explained.

“At the start of the meet we’ll also have a few events where high school athletes would be able to share the platform with the international athletes, so that’s something we’re looking forward to as well.”

Pompey added that while the headline act would be revealed shortly, confirmation has been had from most of the overseas-based local athletes, who had signaled their intention to compete next month.

“Just yesterday (Thursday) actually, Aliyah Abrams, running for South Carolina at the NCAA Finals ran a 51.51s, so I think I’ll saying goodbye to my national record from now, because it going, going, gone soon. Arinze Chance, also at South Carolina, opened their 4×400 in 45 seconds, so the Men’s 400 and the Women’s 400m, along with Long Jump would be staple events at this meet this year,” Pompey informed.

Joining Pompey to pull off this event are Guyana Olympic Association, Banks DIH Limited, the Athletics Association of Guyana, IAAF, ConSudAtle, Ministry of Education, SleepIn Hotel and Casino, Star Party Rentals, National Sports Commission, Quality Plus Fast Foods and the Ministry of Communities.

The event will commence with an official opening ceremony at 15:00h, after which the athletes hit the synthetic surface at Leonora.