THE Daren Sammy Cricket Ground located in Beausejour, Gros Islet will come alive when it hosts close to 600 athletes from secondary schools for the grand finale of this year’s Inter Secondary School Track and Field championships. The event is under the banner of the Department of Youth Development and Sports and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The opening ceremony and March Past of teams is slated for 9:45 a.m. that will be followed by various addresses by key stake holders.
These athletes will compete in 59 finals starting with the Girls Ball Throw for Under -14 scheduled from 10:30 a.m.
On Wednesday 14, a number of students made it to the finals in their respective events in semifinal action and tomorrow it will be their turn to showcase their talent as they look to accumulate points for their schools in four divisions: Under -14, 16, 18 and 20 Boys and Girls.
The reminder of the programme reads – 10:30 a.m. – Boys long jump U16, Girls shot put U16, Boys high jump U20; 11:00 a.m to 11.35 a.m. – Girls/Boys 150 metres U14, Girls/Boys 200 metres U16/18 and 20.
11:45 a.m to 12:30 p.m. – Girls/Boys 600 metres U14, Girls 800 metres U16, Boys ball throw U14, Boys triple jump open, Boys/Girls 800 metres Under 16/18/ and 20.
The showpiece will switch into gear from 1:00 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. – for the Girls/Boys 80 metres U14, Girls/Boys 100 metres U16/18/20.
At 1:45 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. will be the turn of the Girls/Boys 1500 metres for U16/18, that will be followed by Girls and Boys 300 metres U14.
From 2:25 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. the girls and boys will show their class act in the 400 metre dash for U16/18 and 20 and to cool things off just a bit will be the boy’s competing in the 5000 metres open.
The excitement will resume at 3:40 p.m. with 16 relay races – Girls/Boys 4×100 metres for U14,16,18 and 20 and to bring the curtains down will be the Girls/Boys 4×300 metres relay U14. Girls and Boys 4×400 metres relay U16,18 and 20.
School Sports Coordinator Isabel Marquis; expect a prompt 9:45 a.m. start and based on what has transpired, the Department of Youth Development and Sports expect a smooth running on the final day.
In terms of the level of competition, Marquis said, “I expect the athletes to raise the bar a few notches when they come out to perform and give their best for their respective schools”.
By all indications, for some it is their last outing for their school at that level, for others their athletic career has just began. Also competing is the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and the Boys Training Centre.
For the many parents and sports enthusiast coming to take it the showpiece will see the likes of: Nakeisha Louis (SJC), Nebia Montrope (VFCSS), Zadie St. Louis (VFCSS), Joy Edward (LHCSS), Lizzie Alexander (Micoud), Shakera Classe (Beanefield), Desray Desir (SJC), Manderson Shamoya (CCSS), Thomyka Valcent (LHCSS) – (Female). Taric Xavier (VFCSS), Miguel Charlery, Peter Lansiquot (Corinth), Deelan La Force (SMC), Shelton St. Rose (Piaye), Kenrick James (Corinth). Just to name a few that is expected to blaze the track on Friday.
