API recognised as a South American Grand Prix Meet

Jul 17, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....can-grand-prix-meet/

AAG heartened with success, will strive to improve

President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson says that he is satisfied with the way the 2nd Annual Aliann Pompey Invitational (API) International Track and Field Meet came off on Saturday last at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara.
Speaking with the Media at the Meet on Saturday, Hutson informed that his association would have worked hard along with Pompey to get the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to recognize the API as a South American Grand Prix Meet, whilst also assisting with funding which comes to the association and it is then passed over to Pompey.
“It was hard work by the association for them to recognize it, so with Aliann’s input and then my representation at the Consudatle level, we were able to continue to get the support of the IAAF to hold this meet in Guyana. So I am very heartened that international competition is coming to Guyana, it can only augur better and better for this sport that we all so love.”
On the API, Hutson noted that the association continues to work with Pompey to make it better but would like to see his body get the recognition it deserves in running the Meet off from the Guyanese four-time Olympian.
“At the end of the day this is the Athletics Association of Guyana championships, Aliann Pompey basically is one stakeholder in it. All the IAAF recognition and funding comes to us, we then in turn give it over to her; sometimes getting her to understand that is a bit difficult but all in all I think it’s a good relationship that we’re building.
“She’s learning to transition from competing to organising and it’s a process we are prepared to work with her.”
Hutson acknowledged that there is need for more persons to be trained to assist with duties at meets of this nature and they are in the process of doing so, noting that for example, about 80 hurdles are required to be set up and taken off the track in a timely manner which requires man power.