FEBRUARY 8, 2011 | BY KAIETEUR NEWS
National junior cycling champion Neil Reece continued his outstanding showing when he was adjudged the top male cyclist, when the Flying Aces Cycling club of New Amsterdam Berbice, held its 10 annual presentation and awards ceremony on Sunday at the New Amsterdam Town Hall.
Reece, who is a student at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, had an outstanding year during 2010 during which time he won a number of races on both the road and track. Among some of his achievements were gold and silver in Trinidad, Bronze in Aruba. Gold and Bronze at the Inter Guiana games which was held in Guyana, he also won Gold and Silver at the National School Athletics and Cycling Championship.
Reece for his exploits was adjudged top cyclist ahead of National female champion Marica Dick.
Dick, a student of the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary school, also had an outstanding year on both the road and track and as already moved her way up to be crown national female champion. Her exploits include a bronze medal in Aruba, Champion athlete at the Inter Guiana games and also Champion athlete status at the recently concluded National School Athletics and Cycling Championship.
Both athletes were in the past recipients of bicycles from prominent business houses in Berbice. Reece received two bicycles from A. Ally and Sons general store while Dick got her benevolence from Arokium Funeral Parlor.
Other outstanding cyclist awarded on the night were Nashane Jaundoo of Skeldon, Wasim Hasnoo, Rohan Persaud, promising cyclist Jevaun Crawford in the Juvenile category, Crystal Lambert outstanding female, Nigel Brijader BMX and Brian Hinds. They all received trophies, certificates, while some of the more outstanding performers received additional accolades including hampers compliments of Ricks and Sari and Beharry Group of Companies.
Club Coach and founder Randolph Roberts, who recently received an award from the Guyana Olympic Association for his outstanding work in cycling, gave an overview of the Club since its formation some 24 years ago. Today it is the only functioning cycling club in Berbice and one of the leading clubs in Guyana.
Among some of the top cyclist to emerge from the club are Wazin Gaffor who set a junior record in the National Park which still stands today, the Benjamin brothers Gary and Wilbert, Peter Millington, Russell Allen, Rudolph Blair, female Rhonda Persaud among others.
The Flying Ace Cycling Club is one of few clubs in Guyana with more that one female cyclist and the club plans to double that before the end of the year. Roberts was also the recipient of a number of awards. The club which is headed by Businessman John Lewis for the past year, held more that 20 events, eight of which were for cyclist countrywide.
Feature remarks were delivered by Headmaster Clement France who congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to continue to seek excellence in their exploits.
Before the start of the ceremony which was chaired by Gloria Beharry those in attendance observed one minute silence for fallen Deputy Mayor of the town of New Amsterdam Hyacinth James.
The club in return presented appreciation and tokens to some long standing supporters and executives among them were Errol Alphonso, Daren Tulsie, Rudolph Blair, Fizal Ally, Margret Kumar, Rhonda Russell, Pearl Arokium, Mursuline Bacchus and Janet Hickel.
The other executives of the club are Vice President Attorney at Law Mursuline Bacchus, Second Vice president Ganesh Singh, third Vice President Dharry Tulsi, Margret Kumar secretary with Roberts tripling up as Treasurer, Public Relations Officer and the Club Coach.
Former New Amsterdam Mayor and Businessman Errol Alphonso is the Patron.
The committee members are Fizal Ally, Rudolph Blair, Pearl Arokium, Lloyd Joseph and overseas Cyclist Franco Crawford and Englishman Leaton Blake. Neil Reece is the club captain. Former Long serving Secretary Rhonda Russell is an honorary member.