… Sport Minister invites track athletes to test it out

THE markings of the lanes and the various starting points at Guyana’s first synthetic track, situated at Leonora, West Coast Demerara have been completed and Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony has extended an invitation to local athletes to test the facility.
The markings of the lanes and various starting points as well as the marking of the field events stations were completed over the weekend by the German firm BSW Regupol whose engineer Matthew Cohen told media operatives yesterday during a site tour that the only thing that is left to do is to get the International Amateur Athletic Association’s (IAAF) certification before Guyana will be able to host international events at the facility.

Cohen, who is a British national contracted by BSW Regupol to do the markings on the track informed that all the measurements and markings on the track are of international standard.
He said he would now have to supply this information to the IAAF after an official from the Ministry of Sport here in Guyana signs a document stating that Guyana is seeking certification from the IAAF.
This, Cohen said, will be forwarded to the international body and within two to four weeks it will receive certification.
Cohen, who works for Trackmasters International, informed that while being contracted by BSW Regupol he has worked on over 500 tracks around the world including facilities in Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas and all have received IAAF’s certification.
He explained that the work on the Leonora track could have been completed earlier, but the weather was not kind earlier in the month and thanks to a few days of good sunshine, the work was completed.
Asked about the life span of the synthetic surface, Cohen said it all depends on how often it is used but added that it should last for 10 to 15 years
Meanwhile, Dr Anthony, who was also on the site tour along with the Permanent Secretary Alfred King and Deputy Permanent Secretary Steve Ninvalle, said he is pleased the work on the actual track has been completed while the North Eastern and South Eastern Stands are almost completed and this he said should be finished in another six to eight weeks.
“A number of our athletes have not run on a synthetic track and maybe the athletes going to the Commonwealth Games can try out the surface” Dr Anthony suggested, adding “This is the type of surface they will be running on at the Games”.
Minister Anthony informed the gathering that there will be the opening ceremony very shortly and a special event is being planned for it.
Cohen said now that Guyana has a synthetic track, he would be looking at Guyana’s athletes’ performance at Regional; and International meets in another few years.
The North Eastern and South Eastern stands when completed will each accommodate 2 300 patrons, and below the stands, there will be lockers, changing rooms, bathrooms and other facilities, including lockers for athletes and officials.

(By Michael DaSilva)