MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sports Dr. Frank Anthony has deemed the staging of the second annual Independence half-marathon as being very successful. Minister Anthony was at the time addressing participants, officials and members of the media at the simple presentation ceremony, yesterday.

He said that with some 100 persons starting the race and with a significant  number of persons completing the  race, he is very pleased and satisfied.
He issued a call for persons desirous of enhancing and developing the sport forward to lend whatever assistance that they can to his ministry.
This, he said will aid in further ensuring that the sport becomes more popular.
Minister Anthony  disclosed plans for a staging of a marathon to be organised by his ministry in collaboration with the National Sports Commission and the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG).
He said that this marathon will be held in November of this year and already his ministry is committing 1000.00$ US for the winner. “I know that for today’s race we are offering  $70,000.00 for the winner but let me say that for the marathon we will be offering  $200,000.00 or 1,000.00 $US for the winner.
We hope that other stakeholders can and will come forward in lending whatever support that they can but the Ministry is committing that as the prize money,” he said.
The Minister further noted that all efforts will be made to ensure that participation from overseas athletes are achieved as they seek to raise the standard and quality of the race. “We hope that a significant number of persons can and will compete in this race and already planning will begin to ensure that this race is very successful,” he asserted.
Minister Anthony alluded to the intention of his ministry to implement more aggressive competitions noting that it is his plan to execute  an event each month. He said that this will be moved around the country in a continued effort to widen and broad based the sport.
He stressed the need for collaboration and cooperation stressing that the ministry has no plans of doing it all alone “Let me point out the need for more collaboration and cooperation by all stakeholders and I must add that the Ministry has no plans of doing it all alone.
We within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports have no plans of being the sole organizers and therefore we are inviting person to collaborate and cooperate with us,” he said.
He said that with collaborationandcooperationit would certainly aid in making the sport more popular.  He said that plans are afoot to attract a wide and large number of persons to participate in the marathon.
Dr. Anthony added that work is almost completed for the establishment of the synergized track which he said is expected to be completed in a few months. “It is important that the public makes full opportunity of the many resources and opportunities that are being made available as the ministry seeks to further boost and enhance the sport,” he noted.
The Minister in congratulating the winners reminded them that it was as a result of their discipline, hard work and determination that has aided them in being successful.
He congratulated all those who participated expressing further thanks to the National Sports Commission and the Athletic Association of Guyana for what he dubbed as a very well executed and successful event.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Alfred King in congratulating the winners urged them to continue lending support to events stage by the AAG.
He expressed plans that with the staging of the event in 2016 which he said will commemorate Guyana’s 50th anniversary that some 500 persons are expected to participate.