The crème de la crème of Guyana’s cyclists’ yesterday showed collective power by refusing to start the feature battle of the annual National Sports Commission (NSC) 11-race programme at the National Park.
They were showing solidarity with fellow rider and one of Guyana’s top in the business, Jude Bentley who has been debarred by the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) form competing locally.
His punishment has stemmed directly from acts of indiscipline committed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Bentley claims that ever since the 2006 incident he is constantly sidelined by the Federation and has not been given permission to ride even though the matter is more than two years old and as far as he is concerned, he has suffered enough.
Before the start of the race, Bentley approached race official Joseph Britton with his $300 entrance fee which riders are required to pay in order to race at the Park. Britton refused to accept the money stating that as far as he was aware, the GCF had not given clearance for you (Bentley) to ride. Bentley, who also had $30,000 in an envelope which represented the amount for the fine he was due to pay, said when he approached two officials of the Federation to hand over the money they also refused to accept it, saying that treasurer was the person authorized to collect same.
But when contact was made with the treasurer, he said he was not prepared to accept the money, according to Bentley who also claimed that he had spoken with GCF boss Hector Edwards (yesterday morning) and he told him that it was ok for him to compete. All this took place at the Park yesterday morning, allegedly.
Britton, a long standing official of the Federation proceeded to give pre race instructions before proceeding to start the race. But when he blew the whistle to send the riders off none of them adhered to his instructions. Many present said that this was the first time they witnessed this level of solidarity among riders.
Understandably, this move by the riders left the officials in awe as they did not seem to know what was it they needed to do.
Persons immediately began to get busy on their cell phones and contact was made with Edwards to verify if he had given permission for Bentley to ride, but he said he never had a conversation with Bentley despite the fact that a number of other riders verified what Bentley had stated.
Thereafter there was a standstill regarding the start of the race as the riders remained at the starting line for close to one hour.
All present were in support of Bentley, stating that the governing body should allow him to compete given the fact that so many years would have passed since the incident.
According to another GCF official, the body had met with Bentley after the team to Australia, which also included Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay, returned to Guyana to let him know of the charges and to advise him on the way forward.
At that meeting it was reported that Bentley had paid the fine but took it back at the same meeting.
Edwards also disclosed that Bentley at the said meeting claimed that he had obtained a license to ride in neighboring Trinidad and Tobago and he had no time with the local body.
It is based on this development that Edwards disclosed to Kaieteur Sport that the GCF has no obligation to Bentley since he severed relations with the local governing body after he obtained a license to ride in the Twin Island Republic.
But Bentley insists that governing body cannot continue to refuse his membership since it is the riders who effectively make up the Federation.
A visibly disturbed Hassan Mohamed, organiser of the event, thought that the matter is purely between Bentley and the Federation and had nothing to do with him.
Mohamed, who also wears the cap as Secretary of the Racing Committee of the GCF said he had advised Bentley how to approach the entire issue but he did not adhere to his advice.
Members of the Guyana Police Force were subsequently summoned to the surprise of all. Upon arriving at the Park, they (Police) acted in a very professional manner giving an ear to the race officials and Bentley as they gathered vital details.
Apparently, the report that they received was to the effect that Bentley was deliberately upsetting the start of the race. As stated earlier in this story, when race official Britton blew the whistle to send them off, none of the riders obeyed.
One of the officers was very explicit in encouraging the riders to say what exactly happened, reminding them that no one can penalize them for doing that. The officers were very patient in listening to what many of the persons present had to say, including race officials.
After listening intently, the ranks left the Park to the applause of the riders and spectators, who were pleased with their commendable attitude. They were perhaps convinced that initial reports did not mesh up to information gathered at the scene.
And based on yesterday’s incident, the riders (collectively) stated that they have endured enough and it was time for the GCF to seriously look at a number of issues affecting them.
Speaking on their (riders) behalf, veteran Kennard Lovell noted that they will soon meet to document their concerns before approaching the Federation with a view to improving their lot.
Lovell, who had won the veterans under-50 race earlier in the day, in no uncertain terms said they are seeking changes in the hierarchy of the sport. “They are trying to stifle us and cycling and we want to see changes.”
It is expected that the GCF will issue a response on this matter which needs to be addressed urgently with a view of bringing it to a close in the interest of all concerned.
Meanwhile, sterling performances of the junior Berbice trio led by Neil Reece were overshadowed by this incident.
Reece, who lapped the field, led a one, two, three finish in the juvenile 10 lap clash. Dwight Holder and Nshane Jaundoo finishing in that order after Reece. Jason Pollydore, a regular top performer in this event encountered mechanical difficulties and had to drop out on lap two.
Other results:
Veterans Over 50; Anthony Fariah, Lloyd Williams, Aubrey Gravesande.
Females; Marcia Dick (Berbice), Naiomi Singh.
BMX 6-9; Raymond Perez, Dineshwar Ragubeer, Rawle Mc Lean.
12-14; Diquan King, Jamal Dover, Akeem Lakon.
Open; Ozia McAulay, Kunta McKenzie, Alex Mendonca.
Upright; Ozia McAulay, Kunta McKenzie, Jamal Cromwell.