The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has pledged to assist Guyana’s first ever female Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Aliann Pompey, in her future endeavours.
Speaking at a private dinner hosted by GOA’s president Juman-Yassin on Wednesday night in Pompey’s honour, the association’s General Secretary Ivor O’Brien said “the GOA is prepared, and at all times willing to assist Aliann in her future endeavours”.
O’Brien pointed out that requests were made to the GOA and the government of Guyana, but those requests were treated halfheartedly. “we have been treating it kind of lukewarm. But with her success, we are prompted to accelerate whatever we are about to do”.
O’Brien, the longest serving member of the GOA however pointed out to Stabroek Sport that the GOA is willing to assist Pompey within its limitations.
According to O’Brien, the GOA will meet today and work out ways in which they can assist the US based athlete.
Pompey winged out of Guyana yesterday morning, after a hectic week of receptions and courtesy calls, held in her honour by several government and non-governmental organisations.
Pompey who won the women’s 400-metre gold medal at the 2002 Manchester Games, was given a warm welcome on her arrival in Guyana just over a week ago, and during her one week stay here, she visited several places of interest, paid a courtesy call to President Bharrat Jagdeo, attended a number of receptions and visited schools - Clonbrook Primary and Bush Lot Secondary - she attended in her early years.
Pompey also visited Bartica Secondary School during a two-day trip in the Essequibo River area.
At each of the receptions she attended, she received gifts of gold jewellery among other things.
Georgetown’s Mayor Hamilton Green presented the gold medallist with the Mayor’s Medal, a medal made of pure gold which is given to persons in recognition of their outstanding abilities in a particular field or endeavour.
It was explained during the presentation ceremony at a civic reception, held in Pompey’s honour at the Promenade Gardens, that the customary Key to the City could not have been given to Pompey since she is a citizen of Guyana who has lived in all three counties - Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice.
Pompey also received a gold chain and pendant from the Women in Sports group, a gold chain and earrings, as well as a hand bag from residents of Bartica and other gold jewellery from the Guyana Olympic Association. The Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana gave her a photo album with photos taken during her stay in Guyana.
To date Pompey is still to receive a commitment from the government.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport over the weekend, Pompey indicated that she has to raise US$16,000 to finish her Masters Degree in finance.
Pompey will leave the US in another day or two to join the Americas 4X400 relay team that will be competing at the World Cup in Spain from September 21.
The Americas team is made up of athletes drawn from countries in the West Indies, Central and South America and Canada. The team is to undergo a one week training camp in Madrid, Spain, prior to the World cup.
Guests at Wednesday night’s dinner, had the opportunity to view the Commonwealth Games’ women’s 400-metre heat which Pompey was a part of, as well as the final which she won.
In a short address to his guests, Juman-Yassin said the GOA is very fortunate to have Pompey in Guyana and present at the dinner.
In describing Pompey, Juman-Yassin said “she has the exuberance of youth and now has a fragrance of victory and another virtue of modesty”.
Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana’s (AAA) president, Claude Blackmore, wished Pompey God’s speed, and urged her to continue as she has started.
Blackmore pleaded with Pompey to get other overseas based Guyanese involved in coming on board the AAA’s programme.