UNDER the theme ‘Coaches pivotal to the development of athletes’, coaches from across Guyana gathered yesterday for the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) coaches seminar at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Conference Room at Liliendaal.

Present for the afternoon session of the event was Minister of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton, who is also a former Vice President of the AAG.

Minister Norton, under his new portfolio, is also responsible for sport and, in very brief but blunt remarks, he extended his office’s support to aid their development to see the continued success of athletics in Guyana.

Norton, upon congratulating AAG President Aubrey Hudson for an exceptional year, stated that the athletes’ success would not have been possible without the hard work of the coaches, who often times work with little or no resources.

“I want to work with your suggestions. We (Government) don’t know it all, and the best way for us to help is to reach out to you, seeking your guidance as well push to help to ensure a good life for all our athletes” Minister Norton noted.

The Minister also stated that his position as being responsible for Social Cohesion in Guyana, will require him challenging the AAG and coaches to diversify the sport of track and field, pointing out that Guyana is multi-ethnic.

Several areas were addressed and discussed following questions raised by the coaches to Minister Norton, with Government funding and support being the most important, as well as a Synthetic Track in the City.