WELL over 275 track and field athletes from a number of clubs and schools will be in the spotlight this weekend when the St. Lucia Athletics Association stages the annual Independence Championship at the George Odlum Stadium in Vieux Fort.
The two day championship today and tomorrow is the oldest on the Independence Day calendar of activities and is expected to be highly competitive this year as athletes continue to prepare for the inter secondary track and field championship and their respective school sports meet, and at the same time catch the eye of the SLAA Technical Staff for selection on St. Lucia team for the 45th Junior CARIFTA Games slated for Grenada over the Easter weekend.
The thrill is expected to start from 9:15 a.m. today with the girl’s 80 metres dash for age group runners and will end at 5:00 p.m. with the boys 4×100 metres relay open. A total of 35 events finals will take place.
Day two tomorrow will commence at 9.30 a.m. with the girls high jump for age group athletes, while the boys 4×400 metres relay open will bring the curtains down at 4:45 p.m. A total of 32 events finals are on the card.
Among the athletes taking part in the games are: Ace Louis, the 2015 SLAA Junior Athlete of the year, Denzel St. Marthe, Mickey Ferdinand, Michael Biscette and Albert Reynolds, Carifta hopefuls Rochelle Etienne, DesrayDesir, Neema Leon, Amber Lucien, KamillahMonroque, Kimani Alphonse, Chloe Edward and UlricMathurin.
Also in the mix are four athletes from St. Vincent and the Grenadines who will compete in a series of events against some of the Saint Lucia’s best as they too continue their preparations for the CARIFTA Games.