MORE than 360 athletes have registered for the Guyana National Senior, Junior, and Youth Track and Field Championships as the country’s elite competitors prepare for the premier domestic event of the year.
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is bracing for an unprecedented surge in numbers after opting to merge its three distinct age tiers into a single three-day mega-event, scheduled for June 26-28 at the National Track and Field Facility.
Organisers said the structural shift aims to boost participation and foster a more vibrant competitive atmosphere.
AAG official Tyrone Smith indicated the decision followed feedback from local clubs, who noted that previous fragmented timelines often left many senior athletes unavailable.
Fourteen clubs have already registered rosters, with organisers expecting additional local teams and overseas-based athletes to confirm entries before registration closes.
While participation is not mandatory for athletes to retain their national status, the stakes remain high. The meet serves as a final opportunity for local competitors to hit the strict qualification marks required for major international events later this year.
The championships will receive a boost in star power with the confirmed participation of high-profile overseas-based talent. National 400-metre record holder Malachi Austin is set to compete on home soil, alongside collegiate middle-distance standout Alliyah Moore and a competitive contingent of foreign and local athletes.
Financial incentives are also on the line, with cash prizes of $40,000, $30,000, and $20,000 earmarked for the top three finishers in the senior categories.
The official opening ceremony will take place on Saturday and will be attended by Steven Jacobs, the Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.