From left: Aaron Fraser, Colin Boyce, Anjeta Hinds, Director of the Boyce/Jefford Classic Edison Jefford and Gavin Hope during the press conference
By Treiston Joseph
The past four years have seen the Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic grow from strength to strength and with the event now in its fifth year, it has garnered the attention of a number of Caribbean nations, including athletics power house Trinidad and Tobago.
At a press conference held on Monday to launch the Boyce/Jefford Classic, Director of the event Colin Boyce noted that the games have grown to the magnitude where Trinidad wanted to bring a club.
However, since the aim is to develop the clubs to an elite level in Guyana before exploring that road, Boyce highlighted that he thought it was unwise to have the Trinidad and Tobago club compete.
Speaking of clubs, they will have the opportunity to compete for the top prize of $600,000 which is a $100,000 increase from last year. The Boyce/Jefford Classic will be held on August 16 and 17 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden. The second place prize will be $400,000, third $250,000 and fourth $250,000.
According to Boyce, sprinting sensation and USA-based Brenessa Thompson, along with Suriname born, US based sprinter Daniela Clark, is also confirmed for the meet.
World junior silver medalist Kadecia Baird has shown interest, according to Boyce, and is likely to compete at the meet once her coach makes the trip as well.
Boyce also indicated that the oranisers are in talks with Guyana’s 100 metres record holder Adam Harris to make an appearance.
In addition, athletes from Trinidad and a sprinter from St Vincent are also expected to be a part of the meet as the organisers look to improve on the quality of competition.
Further, two individual events that will have cash prizes at stake have been added and will see jumpers getting to perform to earn some extra cash in the male long jump and the female triple jump. The other cash earning race will be the female 1500 and 200 metres and the male 800 and 400 metres.
Meanwhile, Events and Sponsorship Manager of Digicel Gavin Hope noted the reason for Digicel’s continued support of the premier track and field meet in Guyana. “We have seen growth over the past four years, we have seen a lot of Caribbean athletes and we expect a similar level of participation.
“I want to congratulate the organisers for staying with it and keeping it in Linden and Digicel will continue to be a part of it, especially with the growth we are seeing,” Hope noted.
Contract Manager for Wartsila, Aaron Fraser highlighted what is the most important benefit of the event during the press briefing. “What we have observed is that the event continues to grow in stature, it mirrors some of our company’s values, in energy and excitement.
“But the real people that benefit from all of it are the athletes and it’s a good distraction from all the ills of society so I would encourage the athletes to train hard for it,” Fraser stated.
Smalta Brand Manager from ANSA McAl Anjeta Hinds revealed her hope for the meet, “ANSA McAl has always pride itself on youth development in sport and with track and field in Guyana it is not different.
“It is my hope that one day it will be as big as Champs in Jamaica because it is said to have great potential,” Hinds mentioned.
The meet will be both days in Linden starting at 12:00h on August 16 and 14:00h on August 17.