YOUNG and experienced athletes will compete this Saturday at the National Track and Field Facility as the Guyana Overseas-Based Sports Association stages its annual track and field meet, which kicks off at 09:30 hours local time.

The event aims to champion young athletic talent and foster community spirit within Guyana through sport.

Competition will occur across four age groups: Under-12, Under-15, Under-18, and an open category for those aged 18 and over.

Organisers have put up a range of prizes to motivate participants. The top performers in the Under-12 and Under-15 divisions will be awarded medals.

Under-18 athletes will compete for cash vouchers and electronic gifts, including tablets. In the open division, cash prizes are on offer, with the top three finishers set to receive $30,000, $25,000, and $20,000, respectively.

Details of the meet were announced on Thursday at a press conference held at the National Racquet Centre. Representatives from the association and the Athletics Association of Guyana highlighted the event’s significance.

The 110m hurdles for men and the 100m hurdles for women have been added to this year’s programme. This comes after a recent training camp led by former Olympic champion Felix Sanchez.

Mark Scott, First Vice-President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, said the hurdles races would “showcase the country’s emerging sprint hurdling talent and add excitement to the meet’s lineup.”

The training camp, part of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Elite Training programme, has been focused on preparing athletes for international events and inspiring local talent. Its success has generated considerable enthusiasm for the upcoming meet.

So far, 286 athletes have registered for the event. The entry list includes promising young athletes and more established competitors, including returning Guyanese scholarship athletes based in the United States, such as Ravon Williams and Cassie Smalls.

The event is designed to promote the overall development of athletes. It rewards effort and dedication while stressing the importance of balancing academic achievements with sporting pursuits. The aim is to encourage discipline, perseverance, and pride among young athletes.