LAST Sunday, while delivering the key note address at the presentation ceremony of the 31st Annual Independence three-stage cycle road race, Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony charged the Guyana Cycling Federation to organise a special event for 2016, which will be used to herald in Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
Yesterday morning, Permanent Secretary withinthe Ministry of Culture,

Youth and Sport (MCYS) Alfred King charged the Aubrey Hudson-led Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) to organise a special marathon in 2016, to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Anniversary as an independent nation.
King was at the time, addressing an audience that included National Sports Commission (NSC) Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Administrative Officer Gervy Harry and AAG vice-president Gavin Hope in the MCYS boardroom.
The occasion was the launching of the second year of the MCYS/NSC resuscitated Independence Half Marathon, which is scheduled to take place this Sunday from Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara and will see athletes proceed to the MCYS building on Main Street for the finish.
“First let me commend the NSC and AAG along with their friends, for coming together to put this second resuscitated half-marathon back on the road, since it is a lot of work to get this done and we need to recognise the efforts of those persons.
Much more than that, it is part of our calendar of activities that will see us celebrate our 47th Independence Anniversary and Guyana has quite a lot to celebrate as an Independent nation, not only in terms of economic and other developments, but also in the field of sports,” said King.
While taking the time to challenge the reporters to go back in time and chronicle Guyana’s rich achievements in sports, King believes that the Independence Half-Marathon has the ability to blossom into a sports tourism event for Guyana.
“I want to see this event, not only as part of our celebrations, but one that makes us come together as a nation, going out there and enjoying a good experience, at the end of which we can look back and enjoy our pride in participating in such an event.
“I know what marathons can do, the interest it can generate and the level of joy it brings to the people and it has the potential to be a sports tourism event and once organised in a proper way, we should try to get it affiliated to the IAAF who can put it down as a calendar activity, encouraging other affiliated members to participate.”
He added, “I see this half-marathon growing tremendously over the next couple of years, but we also want it to grow quickly. Not just over the next couple of years, but we want it to grow over the next three years to a highly respected regional activity, to maybe become a recognissed international marathon.
“It can help us celebrate our 50th Anniversary as an independent country and we would want to make sure that we put a lot of resources, a solid committee in place well in time, ensuring it is worthy of our celebrating our 50th Independent anniversary.”
King called on more associations to bring out their athletes and registered players, decked out in their respective national colours to participate and enjoy in a good day of physical training, fitness and participation in a national activity as well, while attracting more participants for 2016.
In his brief remarks which followed Kumar’s opening comments, Hope who is a former athlete in his own right, said the AAG was more than pleased to be associated with this event, for which 80% of its funding is being taken care of by the MCYS and NSC respectively.
“This is our first year doing this race with both the MCYS and NSC and we at the AAG are delighted to be on board for this event, as we find it necessary to do so as it is all about the development of the sport and even the athletes.
“The interest is very high, since in excess of 75 athletes have registered to compete in this event and we at the AAG anticipate more athletes signalling their intention to compete, hence we have extended the deadline for registration to tomorrow (today)” said Hope.
Hope said the race will be run in four categories, namely Open, Male Masters 40 to 55 and 55-and-over and Female 35-and-over, with the AAG having all facilities in place including the clock which will enable a better recording of the winning time.
He also challenged athletes who are living on the East Coast of Demerara, to come out and compete in the race saying they can use it as a fitness jog, wherein an athlete who resides in Buxton can come out and compete from the starting line to that village or even a village of their choice, if they don’t have intentions of completing the entire course.
He later said the AAG would leave no stone unturned in ensuring King’s charge to them to organise the Special event to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary in three years’ time is taken up and also will be one to remember by the athletics fraternity in Guyana and the Caribbean.
In his opening remarks, Kumar apologised for Dr Anthony’s absence, while stating that transportation will leave the MCYS office on Main Street at 04:30hrs Sunday morning for Paradise, where the race will commence one hour later from Jerrick’s Funeral Parlour.