Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has lauded the achievement of Aliann Pompey, Guyana's Commonwealth Games 400m gold medalist.
Hinds, who represented President Bharrat Jagdeo, at an official function held in Pompey's honour at the Umana Yana, on Friday night said..."you have truly made us proud, even though I suspect a number of Guyanese, when they heard a Guyanese girl won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, they couldn't put a face to the name."
Hinds noted the number of young Guyanese who had taken benefit from possibilities in the USA where Pompey is based and said he would like to take the opportunity to say to all Guyanese "that we should take note of that, that we can, in this time, when we think of globalisation and partnering with other people in the world, and when we tend to be somewhat fearful that we could be taken advantage of, we can remember careers like yourself (Pompey) where you would have been in America and would have had the benefit of resources there and would have done well," .
Hinds wished Pompey well, both in her academic work and athletic pursuits.
GOA's vice-president Neville Denny related to the gathering which included Minister Navin Chandarpal, how he came into contact with Pompey. Denny recalled meeting Pompey a few years ago at a track meet overseas and said she impressed him so much with her ability and dedication and her academic performance that he decided to follow her career.
On his return to Guyana, he sang her praises in every corner and since then, the two have been in touch by e-mail and telephone regularly. She has kept him abreast with her performances and training.
"Aliann has grown from strength to strength, both academically and athletically and it goes to show, contrary to what some people feel, that you can do well academically and in games at the same time. But I feel it gives you that competitiveness in the class room, it gives you that will to win," Denny stated.
Pompey was presented with a gold chain and pendant from the Women in Sport group.
President Jagdeo left Guyana on Friday for South Africa, to attend the Sustainable Development Conference.