Outstanding cyclists honoured
… Director of Sports calls for support
By Leeron Brumell
Guyana Chronicle
April 6, 2004
OUTSTANDING National Park and Carlton Wheelers cyclists were honoured for their efforts in 2003 at a presentation ceremony, while Director of Sports Neil Kumar has called for more support for the sport.
Kumar said that support for the sport must come from all areas, namely the parents, spectators and the sponsors as without this needed support the sport will be stagnated.
He said that many sports are faced with the problem of running off events, which hampers the development of the athletes, but the National Sports Commission (NSC) is committed to ensuring that development is taken a step further.
The Director of Sports said that national cycling coach Hassan Mohammed should be praised for his efforts in staging the programmes and noted that he can acquire sponsorship since there is transparency in his activities.
“I’m tired of some associations because there are lazy executives who want to make trips but do not want to have fund-raisers. Hassan does his programmes with transparency and that is what the sponsors want to see.”
He further added that since the government has been resurfacing and developing roads, there are more riders in the sport and he wants to see the sport reach the Essequibo roadways.
Some 20 cyclists in 10 categories were presented with trophies and hampers from the Ricks and Sari Group of Companies Limited at the ceremony on Sunday.
Those honoured in the BMX divisions were Ashley Alli who amassed 75 points and Sherri Ann De Abru with 56 in the Girls 6-12 age group, Scott Savory with 44 points and Erica Wilson 38 in the mixed 12-14 years division, Romario Bhagwandin with 81 points and Mario Providence 52 points in the Boys 6-9 years class and Jeron Williams 61 points and Chris Persaud 57 points in the 9-12 years division.
The Juveniles winner was Alonzo Greaves with 57 points, followed by Darren Allen with 37 points, while Maurice Fagundes with 38 points was the winner in the Upright division, followed by Linden Burrowes with 31 points.
Linden Blackman with 76 points was the most outstanding veteran Under- 45 years while Virgil Jones was the runner-up with 38 points.
Compton Persaud with 51 points was the Veterans over-45 years winner with Patrick Santos the runner-up, while the 12-14 years racing cyclist winner was Ron Santos with 55 points and Royston Anderson in second position with 32 points.
In the Schoolboys and Novices class Marlon Morrsion and Leer Nunes both tied for the top spot with 27 points, however Morrison won the title on having more wins.
Meanwhile, the Carlton Wheelers outstanding cyclists also received prizes -- club captain Junior Niles, Darren Allen, Shane Boodram, Ron Santos, Ashley Alli and Sherri-Ann DeAbru.
In addition, Romario Bhagwandin was adjudged the most outstanding cyclist for the year 2003 and Chronicle photographer Winston Oudkerk picked up the special award for his continued coverage of the programmes.
Mohamed, who will be running the park programmes for the 28th year, was pleased with his record of having staged 17 races in the park last year and said he will be aiming to do it again.
The programme was started in 1977 when he returned from Rome with a UCI Diploma in coaching.
He thanked his sponsors Ricks and Sari, the NSC, R and R International, Ansa McAl, Woodpecker Products, Toucan Industries, Metro Office Supplies and DDL, among others, while also praising the media for their promotion of the sport.