By Emmerson Campbell
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) emerged as the undisputed champion of the evening at the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Annual Awards Ceremony, held Thursday night on the picturesque lawn of Castellani House. The event recognized the achievements of Guyana’s finest athletes, administrators, and contributors to sports in 2023, with the AAG taking home the lion’s share of the accolades.
Top Honours for AAG Athletes
Olympic sprinters Emanuel Archibald and Jasmine Abrams headlined the ceremony, clinching the coveted Senior Sportsman and Sportswoman-of-the-Year awards, respectively. Archibald’s golden performance in the 100m at the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador marked a historic moment as he became the first Guyanese athlete to claim this title. He capped off his stellar year with a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Chile.
Jasmine Abrams also shone on the international stage, securing silver in the 100m at the Pan American Games, further cementing her status as one of Guyana’s elite athletes.
Youth Excellence and Coaching Triumphs
The AAG’s future looks equally promising, as Tianna Springer was named Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year. Springer had an extraordinary 2023, earning gold in the 400m at the CARIFTA Games, the South America U-20 Championships, and the Commonwealth Youth Games.
The association’s success extended to the coaching realm, with Mark Scott winning Male Coach-of-the-Year, while Kenisha Headley took home the Female Sport Official-of-the-Year award. The AAG’s Youth Commonwealth 4x400m Mixed Relay Team was named Team-of-the-Year, highlighting the depth of talent in athletics.
Dynamic sprinter Malachi Austin was also recognized as the runner-up Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year, reflecting the association’s dominance across categories.
Association of the Year
Under the leadership of Amanda Hermonstine, the AAG was awarded Association-of-the-Year, a testament to its outstanding year of achievements both on and off the track. The AAG’s success in fostering world-class talent and consistently delivering results made it the clear standout.
Minister Celebrates Sporting Milestones
In his keynote address, Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr. praised the achievements of Guyanese athletes across all disciplines. He highlighted the country’s remarkable feat of earning over 500 medals in 2023, far surpassing the projected 162 medals. Ramson noted that this progress signals a bright future for Guyana’s sporting landscape.
Full List of Awardees
Senior Sportsman-of-the-Year: Emanuel Archibald (Athletics)
Runner-up: Dominic Tyrell (Powerlifting)
Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year: Jasmine Abrams (Athletics)
Runner-up: Jessica Calender (Chess)
Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year: Raekwon Noel (Swimming)
Runner-up: Malachi Austin (Athletics)
Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year: Tianna Springer (Athletics)
Runner-up: Kataleya Sam (Chess)
Sportsman (PWD): Uttamkumar Isurdeen
Sportswoman (PWD): Anya Lall (Chess)
Male Coach-of-the-Year: Mark Scott (Athletics)
Female Coach-of-the-Year: Tremayne Smartt (Cricket)
Team-of-the-Year: Youth Commonwealth 4x400m Mixed Relay Team (Athletics)
Association-of-the-Year: Athletics Association of Guyana
Male Sport Official-of-the-Year: Reon King (Cricket)
Female Sport Official-of-the-Year: Kenisha Headley (Athletics)
Sport Journalist (Print): Jemima Holmes (Guyana Times)
Sport Journalist (Broadcast): Avenash Ramzan (News Room)
Sport Journalist (Non-Print): Akeem Greene (News Room)
Corporate Sponsor (Small): Trophy Stall
Corporate Sponsor (Medium): MVP Sports
Corporate Sponsor (Large): ENet
Posthumous Award: Terence Poole, M.S.
Special Award for Service in Sport Journalism (over 25 years): Claude David (Kaieteur News), Donald Duff (Stabroek News), and Leon Horatio (Guyana Chronicle).
The AAG’s remarkable achievements in 2023 have firmly established it as a powerhouse in Guyana’s sporting arena. With a growing roster of world-class athletes and a strong administrative team, the association looks poised to continue its dominance in the years to come.
