THIS year’s third annual President’s/Jefford Track and Field Classic continues to break new ground, after furniture and appliances giant Courts (Guyana) Incorporated became the most recent corporate citizen to guarantee its support to the event. During a simple presentation ceremony which was conducted at the entity’s Head Office on Main Street Wednesday afternoon, Marketing Manager Tamara Rodney-Clarke said her company was delighted to be associated with the event.
She added that the Company believes that sports and youth development are very important in our society and took the opportunity to wish all the participants a good day whether they win or lose, adding that they are all leaders and winners in their own right.
Marketing Officer Kester Abrams, who made the presentation of the cheque worth $100 000 to Co-organiser Edison Jefford, said, “Even though Courts is coming on board for the first time, we are happy to do so since we believe that the event, apart from providing an avenue to promote healthy lifestyles and sporting entertainment also provides an opportunity for the athletes to better their lives.”
He said he trusts that the weather is good and the competition is fierce but friendly, and the day is an enjoyable one for both the participants and the fans.
“I would like to hear that there were some exciting performances, but most of all because there is a Courts outlet in the community we are extremely proud to be able to give back to the community through the support for sports,” Abrams commented.
In his response, Jefford said, “It is gestures like these that demonstrate that corporate citizens such as Courts are serious about the development of sports.
“Courts (Guyana) Inc. is perhaps the best furniture and appliance store in Guyana, and here they are, partnering with the best track and field competition in Guyana and we welcome them on board this year, as it signals that the best is willing to work with the best.”
The Classic will be staged on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden and among those anticipated to participate are Guyana’s middle distance star Marian Burnett and athletes from Grenada, Suriname and Barbados in the international segment, while over 30 races are carded for the locals.
The winning club is set to take home $500 000, runner-up $300 000 and 3rd place $100 000, while there will be gate prizes specifically intended to give back to the fans, especially those from the community.
The international races also have special prizes on offer for the top three finishers and among the top locals expected to participate in the Classic are women’s 100 metres champion Alisha Fortune, Chavez Ageday, Stephan James, Tevin Garraway, Kevin Bayley, Elton Bollers and Jevina Straker.
Other athletes such as Juanita Hooper, Neisa Allen, Tiffany Carto, Shauna Thornhill, Natasha Alder, Alita Moore, Alika Morgan, Janella Jonas will be on show, while the mining town will be represented by Winston Caesar, Nathaniel Giddings, Bevon Noble and Parish Cadogan.