CLOSE to 450 athletes will converge on the dilapidated George Odlum Stadium tomorrow when the Saint Lucia Athletics Association will stage the 25th edition of the 14 and Under Juvenile Track and Field Championship from 10am with stiff competition and friendly rivalry coming from the various camps.
The thrill and excitement is schedule to commence with an opening ceremony that will include the march past of teams, the national anthem, addresses, athletes and official oaths.
The top 16 field events athletes and the top 24 track and field athletes from the two qualifiers will showcase their talent.
It is still unclear as to whether the event is still sponsored by the 1st National Bank this time around and efforts in reaching Communications Officer Robert Feverier of 1st National Bank before going to press yesterday proved futile.
The championship is the breeding ground for young athletes between the ages of 7 and 14 years.
Some of the athletes will represent the various schools and clubs include: Gros Islet Athletic, Rockhall, SJC Eagles, Choiseul Juniors, Mon Repos, Speed Sprinting Survivors, Nightriders, SMC Sea Hawks, Abilene Wild Cats, Babonneau Secondary, Morne Stars, Road Busters, Augier Combined, Rockets Athletics, Elite, Ciceron Secondary, Pierrot Athletics, Pace Setters and Victory Eagles.
The athletes will be competing in a number of track and field events from the 60 meters, 80 meters, 150 metres, 300 meters, 800 metres, 1000 meters, 1200 meters, the cricket ball throw, hurdles, high jump, long jump and shot put; while the 4×50 meters, 4×75 metres and 4×300 metres relay races will bring the curtains down on what is expected to be a thrilling contest.
The likes of Naomi London, Sharese Harris, Namiah Marcellin, Vanni Henry, Kelly Anne Doxon, Faith Regis, Joy Edward, Kiana Casimir, Shermina Augustin, Paige Anderson, Joel Sylvester, Nyan Alfred, Nathan Pamphille, Elijah Charles and Ajani Louis will be in action.
Meanwhile, one would hope that the SLAA Executive and its affiliates, as a mark of respect, take the time out to observe a ‘one minute silence’ to recognize Hugh Breaustraal for his sterling contribution to track and field in Saint Lucia.
Breaustraal passed away on Tuesday 29th May.
Since the inception of the Juvenile championship in 1993, he had serve as a timekeeper for the games for a number of years and by distinction an executive member of the SLAA for a number of years also, under the presidency of Alfred Emmanuel, Pasty Polius, Wayne Burton and Cornelius Breen.
