t r o Sp
CARIFTA team arrive to hero’s welcome
The locally-based athletes of the ultra successful 2013 CARIFTA Games team, from left Jason Yaw, Tirana Mitchell, Cassey George, Jevina Straker, Avon Samuels and Alita Moore pose with officials, Mark Scott (Coach) and Amanda Hermanstine (Manager) for a photo opportunity after arriving in Guyana early Friday morning. able to motivate and positively influence the team throughout the competition. It was early Friday morning, 1:35 am to “I went through some race tactics with be exact, which may have deterred much them like how to set their blocks for the 200m more people from turning up at the Cheddi and 400m and things like that. They were Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to very timid on the first day, but I think after welcome home a CARIFTA Games team that Avon made the finals in her 400m race, they certainly made history in the Bahamas. woke up and believed in themselves,” he But those who did turned up, including continued. Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Scott believes that all stakeholders officials, Gavin Hope and Aubrey Hutson, including Government should come forward Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s with support for the athletes moving ahead. Admin Officer, Gervy Harry, among He said that from academic to personal stakeholders, athletes and coaches, were assistance should be high on the agenda for emphatically in appreciation. stakeholders to ensure that the athletes As the team exited the terminal at CJIA, transition from CARIFTA champions to be loud cheers erupted in the waiting area that World champions. Guyana finished sixth prompted an emotional moment for double overall from 19 competing Caribbean medallist (1500m gold, 800m silver in U-17), countries, the highest placing of the nation at Cassey George, who visibly cried as she the event. The other medallists included Jason Yaw (bronze 400m U-17), Jevina embraced her coach, Moses Pantlitz. And why not, the feat of the Linden-based Straker (gold 800m U-20, her third George and the entire CARIFTA team was CARIFTA gold medal), US-based, Kadecia never before accomplished: six medals from Baird (bronze 400m U-20) and Tirana eight athletes is extremely commendable and Mitchell (bronze 200m U-17). The other represents a 75% success rate at the region’s athletes on the 2013 CARIFTA Games team were Avon Samuels, US-based Ashley most prestigious junior athletics meet. Coach Mark Scott, who will now have the Tasher and Alita Moore. Meanwhile, four of the eight athletes distinction of mentoring the first CARIFTA unit to the largest medals haul at a single made the qualification marks for the 2013 Games, said that he believes the World Youth Championships, July 14-18, ‘acclimatisation process’ was one of most Ukraine. Those athletes include George (800m, 1500m), Samuels (400m), Yaw important factors in the team’s success. “By getting there a few days before to get (200m, 400m) and Mitchell (100m, 200m). However, the 14-year-old George and acclimatised to the weather and the track especially was a major factor for us. It was Samuels are under the 16-year old age very cold,” Scott said, adding that he was requirement for the Championships. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210 By Edison Jefford