Pompey debuts in 200 metres on home soil after two decades
THE second edition of the President’s/Jefford’s Classic is expected to be a scorcher according to the organisers, and Linden is in for a treat as for the very first time they will see Guyana’s Commonwealth Games  athlete Ms Aliann Pompey in flesh facing the starter’s orders for what could be the first and last time.
This alone could be enough to trigger interest among sports fans in Linden and the country since Pompey is one of the best athletes the bauxite town and Guyana ever produced, and in tribute to Elton Jefford in whose name this event is planned, her presence is a very fitting tribute in his honour.
Speaking on local television about her participation Pompey said, “It’s almost two decades since I last ran in Guyana and I said for the last two years I would not retire until I have competed again in Guyana. She jokingly told her viewers “So again Monday it’s tough with me, I may retire.”
The two-time medallist at the Commonwealth Games, who was in Linden on Friday and met the Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, Councillor Ms Valarie Sharpe, and students of the Mackenzie High School, said of her decision to run at the MSC ground: “I would have fulfilled that promise, but I am looking forward to it. I wish the best for all you competitors. I hope everyone is healthy and will be able to put up a good showing and that the fans have a good time and continue their support of the meet.”
On the 28-card event Pompey will be featured in the 200m for women and according to president of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Colin Boyce, Pompey’s presence augurs well as he believes the President’s/Jefford’s Classic will grow immensely as they look to attract more international athletes for this competition.
Coordinator of the event, Edison Jefford, was optimistic saying, “We are expecting to have a real classic. We have Winston Caesar who has the fastest time this year over 100m in 10.4 secs but that race was devoid of certain athletes mainly Rupert Perry and Quincy Clarke from the Guyana Defence Force, Keith Roberts from the Guyana Police Force and a few others. Those guys are going to be here and it will be very interesting to see what happens in that 100m race.”
Jefford added, “We have the Men’s 800m and that race is expected to be a real scorcher where there are about five athletes who have run below 1 minute 55secs this year, along like Phillip Drayton, Cleveland Forde and Dennis Horatio.
“That race is really going to be an interesting battle. We have the 200m in which Ms Pompey will be coming up against Lenience Denis of Linden, Tiffany Carto, Alicia Fortune and Lisa Allen.
“This would be an interesting day of competition and I can safely say that following the meet, all the winners are going to wake up Monday knowing they are either the best or the worst in Guyana, because today is going to decide that, with all the premier athletes on one stage competing for glory.
Boyce said that “apart from the trophies for first- to fourth-placed winners among the contesting  clubs, the first-place club will receive $300 000, second-place club will collect $200 000, $100 000 for third-placers and fourth-placers $50 000.
He said outside of that the 200m in which Aliann Pompey will be featured, even though that is not her favourite event, she thought it wise to compete so we could have maximum competition.
We would have compared her with the locals in the 400m but we recognised that she would not be tested. So we did not want her to come and leave unchallenged. So we thought it wise in discussion with her, to come down and compete in the 200m so she can be challenged by her home grown athletes.”
The heats will be from 11:00hrs while the match past and opening ceremony will take place at 14:00hrs.