FOR the next two days the George Odlum National Stadium that currently houses the St. Jude Hospital will come alive as the St. Lucia Athletics Association stages the Junior track and field championships.
The participating athletes will all try to gain places on St. Lucia’s team to the 44th CARIFTA Games to be held in Basseterre, St. Kitts from April 3 – 6.
According to the SLAA close to 250 athletes from 16 clubs and schools will be trying to meet the qualifying standards set for this year’s CARIFTA Games.
On the two days of competition the rivalry is expected to start from 10:00 a.m., daily, the Girls Shot Putt Youth Finals will be the first event out of a total of 54 events on day 1, while on day 2 a whopping 74 events are on the card.
The most talked about 4x100m relay races for boys and girls will bring the curtains down at 5:00 p.m. on day 1, while the 4x400m for boys and girls will climax the championship at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday
Despite the absence of any overseas flavour such as Martinique, the Commonwealth of Dominica and St.Vincent and the Grenadines to the championship the games are expected to be of a high standard. Leading the charge will be the Association’s 2014 Junior Male and Female Athlete of the year Mickey Ferdinand and Rochelle Etienne.
Other talent on show will include JovonAgard, Ace Louis, Ashlee Edward, KamillahMonroque and UlricMathurin all of whom will be trying to secure spots on the St. Lucia team travelling to Basseterre.
The athletes will compete in the following age categories – Under 18 male / female and Under – 20 male / female.
Meanwhile, at the close of registration on Friday February 27 the SLAA had received entries from the following clubs and schools – Abilene Athletics Club, Blazers Athletic Club, Choiseul Athletic Club, Ciceron Secondary School, Dennery Athletics, District 1 Athletic Club, Elite Athletic Club, Gros Islet Secondary, Morne Stars Athletics Club, New Generation, Night Riders Athletics Club, Road Busters Athletics Club, Rockets Athletics Club, Rock Spurs athletics Club, St. Joseph Convent and Speed Printing Survivors Athletics Club. One notable absentee for the second consecutive championship is the Pace Setters Club.
As customary athletes and officials within the Castries basin and its environs are asked to note that transportation to the Stadium leaves the Derek Walcott square at 7:00 a.m. on both days.