–President Ali and Guyana Government investing in National Track and Field
says Sports Minister

IN sweltering heat yesterday, during the CARIFTA Games trials at the Leonora Track and Field Stadium in West Demerara, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson formalised an historic deal with International Sportswear Company, Adidas, to outfit Guyana’s athletics teams for international events.

The first team to be outfitted by Adidas is the CARIFTA Games team that will represent Guyana at that the Games, which is scheduled for the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago from April 19-21.

The deal between the Adidas and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) entails Adidas contributing US$300,000 for the three years, and US$250, 000 worth of gear for the second.
This deal was long in the making, and was started by new AAG President Amanda Hermonstine.

Minister Ramson told the athletes that the deal is a big one, since it is a recognition from a World Class company like Adidas putting money into Guyana’s talent.
“The next phase will be getting scholarships from the best Athletic Colleges. You could be the best in the world, but you must have role models who have made it big. Look at what they did to become successful, and remember they were once like you,” the Sport Minister told the young CARIFTA Games hopefuls.

He said the government has been investing heavily in Sports, and in the two years President Ali and his government, along with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and National Sports Commission (NSC) has been fully supportive to the AAG.

“We can be the best country for producing high-standard athletes, and I believe Guyana’s next Olympic medal can come from Athletics. But this won’t happen overnight.
“We have to work as a one, and the coaches have to work as a unified body for the development of the athletes creating success for Guyana,” said Minister Ramson, who is working to get Guyana to produce high-class athletes by creating world-class facilities for them to hone their skills.

Guyana’s only Olympic Medal is a bronze in Boxing from Mike Parris at the Moscow Olympics in 1980.
Minster Ramson challenged the CARIFTA Games hopefuls to make this year the best CARIFTA Games medal haul ever.

The AAC President feels this deal with Adidas will be of great benefit to the AAG and the athletes.
“This Contract with Adidas with assist you (athletes) and the coaches in many ways. You will be outfitted in our international events, looking the way you should be looking at our international events. This contract also entails some finances,” posited Hermonstine.

Also speaking at the ceremony were Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, Deputy Director Frankie Willson, and GOA President Godfrey Munroe. (Sean Devers)