THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is expected to name, by tomorrow, the Guyana team to the upcoming South American Youth Championships that is slated for next weekend, running November 4 – 6, in Concordia, Argentina.According to president of the AAG,Aubrey Hudson,the Association is looking to send “four to five” athletes, a coach and team manager, , with the team expected to depart by this Thursday.
The team manager will be Mayfield Taylor Trim,and the selected coach is Johnny Greavesande.While jumper Chantoba Bright is one of the confirmed athletes, the AAG is still to name the other athletes.
Hudson said that the Association had already submitted a shortlisted team of ten athletes which includes Bright, Avon Samuels, Kenisha Phillips, Claudrice Mckoy(girls), while Tyrell Peters, and Daniel Williams were among the boys being considered.
Hudson said that several factors were looked at in selecting the team, in particular the Association was looking to further the experience of some of the athletes who performed at the CARIFTA Games earlier this year, and showed continual improvement since.
Argentina’s climate was also considered,and this was somewhat of a deterrent in the decision to select any long distance athletes.
“There are many, many components that were being (looked at). We were considering all the Under-18 athletes that went to CARIFTA, then we started extracting those who had an injury or had poor performances at CARIFTA and since coming back, and then we looked at the climatic and geographical conditions.So the decision was taken that we shouldn’t send long distance athletes, anyone doing above 800m.” Hudson explained.
Commenting on the possible performance that can be expected from the team, Hudson said it largely depends on the attitude of the athletes.
“If every athlete that we select goes there with the right attitude,everyone can come home with medals. They’re all experienced athletes,” Hudson commented.