THE University of Guyana (UG) is expected to field a team of some 15 athletes to the upcoming annual Barbados Relay Fair, which is scheduled to be held next month, February 15, at the Barbados National Stadium, Waterford, St Michael, Barbados. 

UG Sports Organiser, Lavern Thomas-Fraser, who will be managing the team, confirmed that the UG will be making its second appearance at the prestigious event, with a number of athletes shortlisted and training having already begun.
“This year we expect to field a team of 15 athletes along with 2 officials. The males will be participating in the 4x100m, 4x400m and medley relays for sure, while the females will lineup for the 4x100m and medley for sure.
“I plan for my females to participate in the 4x400m but my concern right now with the female 4x400m is the number of girls I have attending the training sessions because the 4x400m is an elite event. Once I am satisfied that my females are ready then we will participate in it.” Fraser said.
The team is in their second week of training with preparations having begun last week Monday at the Police Sports Club ground.
According to Fraser training has been coming along very well and she expects the team to be well prepared by the time
“I am quite happy at the moment because the athletes are being prepared under the watchful eye of coaches Mark Scott and Linden Wilson, and if I am to make a comparison between our preparation the last time and now, we are definitely ahead.
“The last time it was just we and we had to make do with whatever advice we got.” Fraser related.
According to Fraser, the university was represented at the event for the first time in 2012, where the female team managed to land bronze in the 4x100m relay and silver in the male medley, Lawanda Whaul won gold in the discus.
A few of the athletes on the team will be repeat performers from the last attendance. They include Carlwyn Collins, Owen Adonis and Dwayne Johnson for the men and Feona Jones for the women.
The Barbados Relay Fair which first began in 2003, features relay events in five age divisions from the Under-13 to Under-20 for the individual category, while there is a club category with the Open and Under-45 age divisions. All divisions feature a 4x100m, a 4x400m and a medley relay, while the competition also has an Open category 4x800m relay.
Field events are also a facet of the event. Apart from UG several other teams from Guyana are expected to attend the event, which will feature competitors from all over the world.

(By Tamica Garnett)