New track and field club on the horizon
By Edison Jefford
Stabroek News
January 19, 2007
A new track and field club comprising some of the top sprinters, middle distance and distance athletes in Guyana is expected to take the country by storm soon.
Stabroek Sport understands from reliable sources that athletes coming out of an existing club will form the new club.
One of the top athletes in the existing club told Stabroek Sport that the coach of that club has distanced himself from the team, forcing the athletes to form their own track and field club.
"We see the need to form this new club so that we can give (coach's name mentioned) back his club, it seems as though that's what he wants," the athlete said, adding that a coach has already been identified for the new club.
The coach that has been identified for the new club replaced the old coach when he abandoned the club mid last year. The athletes believe that the new coach's attitude to step up to the challenges of a track club last year will pay off in the end.
"(New coach's name mentioned) saved us when (previous coach's name mentioned) decided to walk out on us last year. He (the new coach) is passionate about the sport and has the ability to take us forward," the source said.
The new club however is expected to take shape before the annual inter-club relays and inter-club championships slated for February this year. The club will have a complete executive with committee members.
Stabroek Sport spoke with the previous coach of the existing club recently and he revealed that he insisted that the club move from its old training venue for a better venue and that apparently created difficulties for the athletes.
"I told them I had a better ground complete with gym equipment but they were uncomfortable with that decision," the coach said, adding that he wants athletes who will be obedient in their own interest.
However, one of the athletes of the club said that the coach's behaviour towards them changed when the current coach took over because of prolonged periods of absence during the competitive season.
The athletes and persons identified for the executive asked that no names be called until they are ready to fully move apace with the registration of the club with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).
The athletes met yesterday afternoon to decide on a name for the new club.