President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson yesterday sought to clear the air on the selection of this year’s Carifta games team following the publication of a letter in another section of the media which questioned some of the choices of the AAG selection committee.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Guyana Olympic Association building, High Street, Kingston yesterday Hutson declared: “We are somewhat concerned about these letters because they paint a picture of track and field that is not necessarily true, and it paints a very dim image of our association as well.
“I don’t want to believe that this letter came out of the Police Progressive Youth Club because I am of the view that there are more knowledgeable persons within the organization because they should know better, simply because they know that if there is an issue with athletics or team selection, their job is to write the council and air their concerns.
According to the letter, the selections of Jason Yaw, Cassey George, Jevina Sampson, Brenessa Thompson, Kadecia Baird and Kevin Abbensetts were justified but the s elections of Avon Samuels, Natricia Hooper and Kade Pearce were questionable.
The letter also raised questions about the number of officials selected and of the character of the coach.
Hutson said that before he became president, he had queried with the previous administration particularly previous president Colin
Boyce about the status of the AAG as it relates to the national coach.
“His response was we don’t have a problem with him, it is just that when his name comes up with other coaches, the other coaches are selected ahead of him.
“I have heard rumors surrounding a lot of coaches in Guyana but the AAG cannot act on rumors but on hard facts.”
According to Hutson the coach was never charged or convicted in the Court of Law for the behavior as was suggested in the letter.
With regards to who will stand the cost of the assistant coaches and the journalist, Hutson noted that each of the individuals will have to pay for their accommodation and airfare.
“This council looks beyond CARIFTA, we have been sending a lot of long and middle distance athletes to CARIFTA and they come back with medals but once they hit South America or further afield, they are not as recognized outside of the Caribbean.
“Our best long distance athlete in Cleveland Ford went to Chile and did not do well. We need to make sure that the athletes we are sending abroad are within our programme. I think our best bet on the international scene is in the 400m. If you go through the IAAF rankings where we are ranked the highest is in the 400m.”
The CARIFTA Games contingent comprises:Under-18 Girls: Cassey George (1500m, 3000m and 4x400m), Natricia Hooper (triple jump, 4x400m), Jevina Sampson (200m, 400m and 4x400m) and Avon Samuels (200m, 400m and 4x400m).
Under-18 Boys: Jason Yaw (200m, 400m).
Under-20 Girls: Brenessa Thompson (100m, 200m), Kadecia Beard (200m,400m).
Under-20 Boys: Kevin Abbensetts (100m, 200m), Kade Pearce (High Jump, Triple Jump).
Johnny of Running Brave Athletic Club Head, Dietz, Martin and Glenton Pantlitz the assistants. Mayfield Taylor-Trim (Manager) and Emmerson Campbell (Media) are the other members of the contingent. (Emmerson Campbell)
