TWO time champions Police Progressive Youth Club will not be taking anyone lightly when they come up against five other local teams, in addition to participation from international athletes, as they battle for the ultimate title at the Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic, which begins today at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground from 12:00 hrsWith the defending champions, Running Brave, bowing out of the championships, the team title for the prestigious event is up for grabs and all those participating in the two- day event are hoping to walk away with that $600, 000 prize that goes to the top team.
Those not managing to cop the top spot can still walk away with heavier pockets as the second, third, and fourth place finishers will walk away with $400, 000, $250, 000 and $150, 000, respectively.
Other lucrative incentives can be had from the international events where the top three individuals will receive $50 000, $30 000, and $20 000 respectively.
The international events are the female triple jump and male long jump, the female 1500m and 200m, as well as the men’s 400m and 800m races.
Apart from Police the other local teams registered to participate in the worthwhile meet include the Guyana Defence Force, the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary track and field club, Enmore, Mercury Fast Laners, and Upper Demerara.
Police has a minute advantage in numbers, fielding the largest team with 37 athletes scheduled to participate; GDF walking in with 35 athletes, while Christianburg/Wismar has 32, MFL has 20 and with 17 athletes Upper Demerara is the only other team with athlete numbers in the double digits. Enmore will come through with the participation of 6 athletes.
With notable athletes like Winston George and women’s 100m and 200m defending champion Alita Moore, Police is entering with a lot of confidence, but still won’t be letting their guard down lest they end in second place for another consecutive year.
“We are not going to take anybody lightly, we are going there to compete.” coach for Police, Lyndon Wilson, declared yesterday in an interview with Chronicle Sport. “I would have liked the defending champions to be there, it would’ve made the win all the sweeter. We have studied what went on last year so we know we will win, that is why I would have liked the defending champions to have been there.”
After winning their first title in 2011, Police went on to defend that title in 2012, however, last year they blundered and found themselves dethroned by the Running Braves, which ended with a 26 points lead.
The competition is expected to play out in front of a packed house, with admission for the event set at a reasonable $500 entrance fee.

(By Tamica Garnett)