Forde boosts jnr. Carifta Games chances
...Linden Sports Foundation meet
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
April 2, 2003
Junior Carifta 5000m gold medalist Cleveland Forde registered his best time on grass over the distance at the Linden Sports Foundation’s Athletic and Cycle Meet staged at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground on Sunday.
Forde, seeking a place on Guyana’s team for this year’s jnr. Carifta Games in Trinidad and Tobago later this month, returned 16 minutes .04 seconds in winning the event from arch-rival Lionel D’Andrade.
The Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana (AAAG) recently short-listed 14 athletes for possible selection on Guyana’s team to the annual event. The shortlist was as a result of trials conducted by the AAAG at the Uitvlugt Community Development Centre ground. Because Forde, who was injured did not participate in the trials, he was not shortlisted by the AAAG.
In their release, the AAAG stated that Forde would have to undergo a medical examination and participate in the New Amsterdam Track Club’s (NATC) Open Invitational meet scheduled for the Rose Hall Canje ground on April 13. Based on his performance, a decision would then be made whether he would be included in the team or not.
Sunday’s meet which was hit by a power outage, saw Forde registering his best time (16.04) on grass over the distance. His best time over the same distance on a rubberised track is 15 minutes 21 seconds which he clocked at last year’s Junior Central American and Caribbean Track and Field meet in Barbados.
In other results from the events that were completed on Sunday prior to the meet having to be called off because of no electricity, Keith Roberts won the male open 100m from Rawle Green and Allan Gravesande respectively while Beverley Shellman crossed the finish line ahead of Alicia Fortis in the female 100m. Ruschelle Corte placed third.
Shawn Forde won the under-20 male 100m from Carlton Bobb and Quacy Trotman respectively while Leanna Doris won the under-17 female 3000m from Carlissa Atkinson. Delicia Dick finished third.
The male 800m Open was won by Roberto Inniss while Donna April finished first in the under-17 female 800m. B. Dick was second.
In cycle results, Dwayne Gibbs crossed the finish line first in the five-lap event for category one and two riders. Second was Warren McKay and third Gerald Fowler. Gibbs, however, had to settle for third in the 10-lap affair for the same category cyclists. The event was won by Andrew Reece with McKay second.
The five-lap race for category three and four cyclists was won by Iran `Dumb Boy’ Jackson. John Charles was second and Mark Lewis third. Jackson also won the 10-lap event from Seon Alves and Samuel Barker Jr. respectively.
Marlon Williams chalked up two victories among the juniors while Jorge Emmerson and Travis Mendonca placed second and third respectively in both events.
Daren Allen and Linden Blackman also registered two victories each. Allen won a three-lap as well as a five-lap race for juveniles. Albert Philander and Travis Cipriani placed second and third respectively in the three-lap event while Cipriani placed second in the five-lapper and Philander third. Blackman won both the veterans under-45 five-lap and 10-lap races from Vaughn Phillips and Virgil Jones respectively.
John Hamilton captured the five-lap upright race from Roopesh Beechan who turned the tables in the 10-lap affair.
The organisers would like to thank the following individuals and business houses who made the activity possible; Royal Castle, Rubigwe’s Pharmacy, Phillip Gomes, Denise and Gevon Jewellery, Martin’s Taxi Service, the Emmerson family, Fine’s Jewellery, Mike’s Pharmacy, Linden Security Co-op, Marcelyn’s Variety Store, Howell Hinds, Horace James (CEO Linmine), North American Airlines and Keishar’s.
