At the end of the opening day of the National School’s Athletics, Cycling and Swimming Championships defending champions District 10 (Upper Demerara Upper Berbice) were out in front amassing 186 points in the track and field events, 38 points in the cycling events and 62 points in the teachers’ events for a total of 286 points on the day.
Nipping at their heels were District Seven (Bartica), with 122 points in track and field events, 24 points in cycling and 64 points in teachers’ events for a total of 210 points while District 11 (North Georgetown), with 75 track and field points, 26 cycling points and 53 teachers’ points were third with 154 points. The highlight of the day was a record breaking high jump in the boys’ under-16 category by Carlon Pitt who, using the Fobsbury Flop method, leapt his way to a national record of 174 centimetres. Pitt, representing District 10 bettered the old record of 170 centimetres which is held jointly by Lawrence Edwards of District Six and Kelvin Nelson of District Seven on the day. In the cycling events Christopher Holder of District 11 produced the virtuoso performance of the day by lapping the field in the 5000 metres boys’ open race. Victor Persaud of District 10 was second with Trevon McKenzie of District 15 third. Delivering the opening remarks on the day, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony told the participants and officials that sport was important to the development of all Guyanese.
“I am sure that through participation in sports we will have a fitter and healthier nation,” Anthony said.
He added, “I know lots of efforts have gone into training of the athletes. I would therefore like to encourage them to give of their best and to do themselves and regions proud.”
President Bharrat Jagdeo, though absent, had his message affixed to the official programme and in it said, “While winning is important, participation in events such as these provide more than useful exposure for local athletes and cyclists even for those who do not make the podium. He applauded the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) for their hard work in organizing the championships. GTU President Colwyn King, in welcoming the athletes and officials said, “It is my hope that the 16 districts and over 1600 participants would make this one of the most memorable four days of competition.”
He added that the hard work of all involved would be evident in the talent that would unfold during the events.
“I am aware of the numerous major obstacles and difficulties that were confronted in an effort to make this event possible. Problems of teachers and administrators who are unreceptive to sports, lack of facilities and finances are all part of the challenges faced,” King declared. He added that sport was a powerful vehicle for forging national unity and called for the championships to be so used. Today is day two with most of the heats and preliminary races being out of the way, paving the way for the finals and the accumulation of points by all the respective districts.
