Head coach of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Track and Field Club Robert Chisholm is confident ahead of the imminent competition season inspite of the tumultuous situation that currently faces athletics in Guyana.
Chisholm told Stabroek Sport yesterday that his club remains focussed on their endeavours for the 2013 track and field season undeterred by the recent controversies that have plagued the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).
According to Chisholm, the present situation does not at all affect his club or his athletes as they will continue to strive for success regardless of who is the president of the AAG.
Former president of the AAG and current member of the Joint Services Committee, Colin Boyce, has filed an injunction against the recently elected president Aubrey Hutson and the new AAG administration alleging that AAG’s January elections were compromised. The matter was recently adjourned until March 12.
GDF coach Chisholm, who was recently appointed to the AAG coaching structure as middle and long distance coach, said his club is currently working towards capturing their fourth consecutive title at the Inter Services Cross Country Championships next month.
The event was not held last year, but according to Chisholm, GDF will be ready to defend their reputation as the service with the most stamina, come March 2. The event was originally scheduled to be held yesterday but was postponed to the first Saturday next month.
The AAG’s first Developmental Meet which was also to be hosted by the Progressive Youth Club (PYC) today was also postponed to February 24th because of the inclement weather. GDF was also expected to host one of the AAG’s Developmental Meets early next month, but according to Chisholm, GDF’s hosting of the event will also depend on the weather.
At the moment, Chisholm said, his club will be looking to make the most of the additional time to prepare for this year’s season, as their off-season was cut short by several hindrances.
“We didn’t really get to do much work this off season because of a lot of things like the weather and some of the athletes (soldiers) had their duties…,” Chisholm said.
Nevertheless, Chisholm said that at the moment his club will be working on bringing the pieces together in time for the upcoming competitions such as the Inter Services Cross Country event.
The certified Level III coach said that GDF still has great depth in their middle and long distance team with athletes such as national 5000m and 1500m record holder Cleveland Forde, Ashanti Scott, Carlissa Atkinson, Jemoul Chisholm, Tyshon Bentick and Adrian Corlette.
Apart from the Cross Country, Chisholm said that he hopes the newly formed coaching structure can take effect soon so that local coaches can form a network and work together for the enhancement of the sport and development of local athletes.
