A CALL has been made to put differences aside and put the sport of athletics first.It was made at the Annual General Meeting held yesterday at the YMCA Building, Thomas Lands, by the president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson, who also requested support and dedication from stakeholders of the sport.

He told the eight clubs gathered that doors are opening for the sport but they are closing just as fast. Hutson made specific reference to Guyana’s Kids Athletics Programme. He said based on the performances of Jason Yaw and Natricia Hooper at the South American Youth Games in 2014, a number of offers have been made to accommodate local athletes at overseas games. Training kits have also been pledged to the association for the Kids Athletics Programme.
The AAG boss also called on stakeholders to refrain from ‘airing the sport’s dirty laundry in public’.
“I’m saying I think I am one of the most receptive persons around. Please come in let us sit down and talk about it. Let us find a way forward. There’s always a solution other than tearing ourselves down in public.
“Every time this happens and we go out there looking for sponsorship it’s a problem, so please let us move forward in 2015 ensuring that we keep our family united. We look out for each other.”
During the AGM, the Minutes of 2014 AGM were adopted, so too were a shortened version of the Treasurer’s Report and that of the General Secretary.
The Sub-Committees reports of the Women’s, Development, Technical, Registration & Records and Finance and Fundraising Committees were also presented. Issues were raised over the Development Committee’s report and as such it was deferred.
No Resolutions or Motions were submitted by stakeholders.
The athletics season was scheduled to being earlier this month with the traditional cross-country races. The association is looking to make some adjustments in its calendar of events for this year.

(By Leeron Brumell)