Aiming to attract 150 athletes from across the country, Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary Relay Festival has been confirmed for February 16 at the country’s premier athletics facility, the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.
At the official launch on Tuesday at the Ministry of Social Cohesion’s Department of Culture Youth and Sport on Main and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, key stakeholders shared details of the one day event, which will get cracking at 10:00h.
A total of 20 events are carded for the day, targeting athletes in the Under-16, Under-20 and Open categories. Athletes from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10 and all affiliated clubs of the Athletics Association of Guyana have been invited to compete.
Male (Open): 4x100m, 4x200m, Distance Medley (2400m)
Female (Open): 4x100m, 4x200m, Sprint Medley (800m)
There will also be a 4x400m Mixed race
Male (Under-20): 4x100m, 4x200m, Distance Medley (1500m)
Female (Under-20): 4x100m, 4x200m, Sprint Medley (800m)
There will also be a 4x400m Mixed race that may include Under-16 athletes
Male (Under-16): 4x100m, 4x200m, Distance Medley (1500m)
Female (Under-16): 4x100m, 4x200m, Sprint Medley (800m)
What the stakeholders said
Russel Lancaster- Creative Director of Golden Jubilee Festival: “The events that have been planned for the 50th anniversary of Republic are many. I think we have in excess of 50 events that are going to celebrate this occasion. But we did think that all aspects of our culture and our life should be celebrated, and for such sport plays an integral role. I think what is critical about the sporting aspect is that it speaks to a healthy nation and it speaks to a nation who’s physically capable of dealing with building and restructuring from where we’re going as a country. I think this is going to be one of the more popular events of the celebrations.”
Mark Scott- Athletics Association of Guyana: “The closing date for submission of entries is February 7 at 16:00h. You can submit a squad and then on the day you choose your four members that are going to run.”
Amanda Hermonstine- Athletics Association of Guyana: “The Athletics Association of Guyana is pleased to be associated with this event. I want to assure you that the Athletics Association of Guyana will ensure that this event is run under the guidelines of the (world governing body) IAAF and that all the officials will be certified and ready for the event.”
Desiree Wyles-Ogle- Golden Jubilee Festival Administrator: “I know it will be a grand affair for all Guyanese and moreso for the youths of Guyana and so I want to thank them (the Athletics Association of Guyana) for the role they’ve played and for coming on board in terms of this (Relay) event. We look forward to healthy games and seeing some records being broken.”
