National Senior Track and Field Championship gets cracking today

All systems are a go for this weekend’s Senior National Track and Field Championship at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

Several overseas-based athletes are in Guyana to compete in the three-day event, starting this afternoon and ending on Sunday. Notably, the event would be held behind closed doors, with only athletes, coaches and officials allowed in the venue.

The championship is set to run from this afternoon at 17:00h, followed two sessions on Saturday, starting at 10:00h and 13:00h. On Sunday, the final day, the action will start at 13:00h.

According to President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, a star-studded line-up is confirmed for the event, with several of Guyana’s leading overseas competitors, the likes of Arinze Chance, Aliyah Abrams, Jasmine Abrams and Jeremy Bascom, set to hit the track.

Also set to compete are local standouts Emmanuel Archibald and Chantoba Bright.

In early June, Hutson indicated that the National Senior Track and Field Championships would be the primary focus for athletes seeking to qualify for the July-August Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The qualification period for the Olympics will end on June 29, 2021.

Meanwhile, Media Manager of the Local Organising Committee for Guyana’s hosting of the Carifta Games, Leeron Brumell, said the National Senior Championship will serve as a testing ground for systems to be implemented in the upcoming regional competition.

According to Brumell, the event has received the necessary approval from the National COVID-19 Task Force, and the AAG will work to ensure all protocols are followed during the three days.