The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) officially launched the 2017 edition of the National Senior Championship, yesterday at their head-office in Alberttown.
The championship, which runs for the period of July 3rd-4th at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, will be open to athletes from 16 years of age. The event is set to start at 10:00hrs on the 3rd, with a commencement time of 11:00hrs on the final day.
President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson said, “We anticipate a very large participation from our senior athletes. We are looking at athletes age 16 and above, and outside of our normal events we are looking to re-introduce steeplechase, hurdle events and the hammer throw. We also hope to award the top three places in each event with money.”
According to Hutson, “All monies to any of our juniors will be paid to clubs and they will then administer it in the form of a grant or in terms of any need(s) that athlete might have but to make it clear we are not encouraging our juniors to run for money, but the IAAF implores us to have athletes from 16 up run at these meets”.
He added, “For instance, if Kadecia Baird had won World Championships the IAAF would pay the money to us and we find ways to develop Baird but to make it clear, the clubs will receive the money.”
Hutson disclosed that while the event is important for the selection to the World Championships and Olympic Games, flexibility will be extended to overseas athletes.
“While it is one of the rules we want to be more stringent with we want to have more flexibility because of athletes like Troy Doris that might not have the competition to push them here, so in cases like that, where the excuse is valid we can accept,” he added.
Meanwhile, national coach Julian Edmonds, declared that the AAG is attempting to build on the success of the recently concluded South American Under 20 Championship, affirming, “If you witnessed the South American Juniors, then you would have seen the level of organization and we hope to improve on that so when we say a race is 10 then it is at 10, so that the event can be more public friendly and we have clean and fun championships.”
