G$7M government support for Aliann Pompey Invitational 2024

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, has announced its support for the Aliann Pompey Invitational (API) by investing G$7 million into the track and field event, scheduled for Saturday (June 22) at the National Track and Field Centre, West Coast Demerara.

It is the largest investment by the Government of Guyana in the event since its inception in 2016.

This year’s AP Invitational is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour, providing several athletes from around the world a final opportunity for direct qualification to the Paris Olympic Games, with the cut-off date for qualification set for June 30.

Minister Charles Ramson Jr. stated that the Aliann Pompey Invitational aligns perfectly with President Irfaan Ali’s vision to position Guyana as a hub for marquee sporting events, thereby enhancing the country’s sports tourism sector.

His remarks followed a meeting between the Ministry, the National Sports Commission (NSC), and event organiser Aliann Pompey.

Minister Ramson also highlighted that this investment, the largest since the event’s inception in 2016, underscores the Government of Guyana’s commitment to supporting the AP Invitational.

The focus, he said, is on sustaining and developing Guyana’s only international track and field championship.

Meanwhile, Pompey, after thanking Minister Ramson and the Government of Guyana, stated “the overarching theme for this year’s edition of the competition is legacy…we see that played out in different areas.”

“The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has committed in a big way to the success of the meet, not just this year, but several to come. The Honourable Minister has expressed the importance on building on the foundation year by year, and knows that it means commitment over a period of time,” Pompey said.

She added, the Ministry’s input “is significant to the longevity of the competition and to the sport. All this trickles down to our athletes and we’ll continue to see significant development. We thank him for his support.”