Our athletes must make use of the Synthetic Athletic Track. PDF Print E-mail
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Tuesday, 03 April 2012 21:29
THE good news is that work is progressing smoothly on the Synthetic Athletic Track at Leonora on the West Coast Demerara, and before long, Guyana will be boasting its first Synthetic Athletic Track. This track will be a tremendous booster to our athletes, who until now are forced to train for major competitions under adverse conditions.
The current athletic track is not devoid of history, as it currently stands exactly on top of what was known between the 1950s and 1970s as the best cricket ground outside Georgetown. Incredibly enough, the Leonora Park as it was called in those days was referred to as the “Little Bourda.” Guyanese who were cricket minded in those days would recall that several of our country’s leading cricketers in the names of Joe Soloman, Basil Butcher and Lance Gibbs and even former West Indian Test great, Clyde Walcott who at different times graced ‘Little Bourda.’
The people also recall that even some of the best cricketers that came from the West Demerara in those days were products of the Leonora Park, which in those days had refused to give way to any other sport discipline than cricket. We recall two leading names in Sonny Basdeo and Budhoo Dwarka, both of whom represented Guyana in cricket — Basdeo against a touring English team and Dwarka against a touring Australian team. But that is all history now and the ground is being transformed into a Syntethic Athletic Track that promises to be one of the best in the world.
We note that work on the facility is moving apace and International consultant Heribert Hammes of Hammes Consultancy Engineering, who, while on a recent visit to Guyana said he was pleased with the progress made so far and pledged his continued support for the completion of the project. Synthetic Athletic Tracks require an excellent asphalt based foundation, and according to Mr. Hammes:
“If the foundation is not properly done, then the surface would not be able to support the synthetic track…because of the rainy season there was some delay in preparing the surface, however the work is progressing smoothly.”
It must be appreciated that the making of a synthetic track is not just excavating, dumping and laying materials; it must be done with certain precision to ensure that there would be zero movement when the track itself is laid.
Synthetic Athletic Tracks rose to prominence just after the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. These tracks could withstand any climate and used for competition in track and field. It should be noted that Guyana is on the rise with sporting disciplines and if we have to continue in this vain, it is incumbent on us to provide the necessary sporting facilities for our athletes, thus the Synthetic Athletic Track.
Sports associations in several parts of the world have widely accepted Synthetic Athletic Tracks as the perfect track to work on in both good and bad weather, and used in all major stadiums for athletes. The people believe that the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport headed by Minister Dr. Frank Anthony should be lauded for taking on such a gigantic task of fulfilling the needs of our country’s athletes, who could do good in the international arena, as long as they are provided with facilities like the Synthetic Athletic Track.
The Synthetic Athletic Track at Leonora, therefore, must be seen as an investment for our people especially our youth population who will be the ones to make our country proud when exposed to competitions in and out of our country. The completion of the Synthetic Track should also see Guyana hosting major international and regional athletic events which would no doubt bring tremendous benefits to this country.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 03 April 2012 21:32
 

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