The biggest and most-anticipated schools’ relay championships in the country are carded for February 29 and with more schools invited and more events planned, this year’s meet may become the most exciting in its four-year existence.
The championships which will be held at the Enmore Community Centre ground had originally been planned for last Friday, but was rescheduled because of inclement weather.
At last year’s championships, hosts President’s College won the overall champion trophy, barely edging some of the top schools in athletics from Georgetown such as Christ Church and St John’s College.
The number of schools expected to participate this year is likely to surpass the 25 that competed last year.
The Business School recorded many stunning upsets in last year’s event, and this year organizers have invited even more private schools, including Marian Academy and School of the Nations.
A total of 15 records were shattered last year but surprisingly President’s College did not claim any of them.
St John’s College was at the top of the record-breaking list and shattered three records, while Bygeval, Saint Stanislaus College, Christ Church, Tutorial High, East Ruimveldt and Golden Grove all set new records.
In a remarkable achievement Queen’s College entered the event with just four athletes and shattered two records. The four athletes captured records in the 4X400 metre race and the Sprint Medley, both of which President’s College previously had held every year.
The championships started as a fund-raising activity for the school and over the years it has managed to raise a significant sum to enable the President’s College relay team to compete at the Barbados Relay Fair.
Just as the institution is always marked by its discipline, coordinator Keith Smith said they have enforced a strict policy for this event.
According to Smith the championships are scheduled to begin at 9:30am and they expect all athletes to be present at or before 9:30am or they will not be allowed to participate. The organizers also said that any indiscipline noted by an athlete will lead to the disqualification of that athlete’s entire school from the championships.
Meanwhile, Smith disclosed that they have already acquired trophies and medals for first to third place finishers in most of the events.
