Intense competition promised for this year’s inter-schools games

Vincentians who plan to attend this year’s National Lotteries inter-primary and inter-secondary schools athletic meets can look forward to intense competition from all participating schools.{{more}}

So said Keith Joseph, chair of the athletics sub-committee, while addressing a press briefing at the Education Curriculum Unit conference room on Monday.

“We recognize that at the primary level in the heats there is not a single school that is so dominant that you could say already that Prep School would win again, because the Layou Government School has already shown that they are here and ought to be counted.”

He also added that the schools on the mainland will be getting fierce competition from those in the Grenadines.

“They have been able to utilize whatever resources they have at their disposal to give good account of themselves in the heat,” Joseph said.

Additionally he noted that the St Martin’s Secondary School is giving the defending male champions the St Vincent Grammar School a run for their money, while in the female division, the St Vincent Girls’ High School and the St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown are bringing the heat against defending champions the Thomas Sanders Secondary School.

“The competition this year is extremely high and is extremely exciting for those of us who want to see track and field go forward in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he stated.

Marla Nanton, the media and promotion liaison, noted that there has been a steady increase in patrons at the sports meet over the last three years and expects that this year would be no different.

“For the primary championship, we continue to inject some fun alongside healthy competition, as we’ve done for the past three years.”

Nanton noted that there will be face painting, a photo booth where the children can take pictures with their favourite cartoon characters during the primary school competition.

“For the secondary school championship, special attractions include inter-secondary schools cheerleading competition; several schools will be vying for the title of champion cheerleaders, among other rewards,” she stated.

Product development officer of the National Lotteries Authority Anthony Dennie encouraged the athletes to do their best on the day of the meet.

“To the athletes…who will be part of the finals on the 6th and 7th of April, I certainly would request that you give of your best and one thing of importance is that one simple word, it’s called discipline,” he noted.

Dennie also made an appeal to corporate St Vincent to offer sponsorship for the athletic meet.

“We, at the National Lotteries, are certainly making that appeal for corporate St Vincent to come along, because we do have a lot of talent here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Also speaking at the media briefing was Kelvin Franklin of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Brewery Limited, newest sponsor of the athletic meet.

Franklin pledged the company’s support for future athletic meets.

Woodrow Williams, representative of the Ministry of Education, Reconciliation and Ecclesiastical Affairs also made brief remarks.

The meets will take place on April 6 and 7 and will be held under the theme: “Adrenaline Pumping, We Bolting Team Work.” (CM)