IT-DAT Academy takes National Club Championships title

IT-DAT Academy took the 2016 Team Athletics SVG National Club Championships, which concluded on Sunday, May 22 at Arnos Vale One.

IT-DAT tallied 669 points, with the males contributing 422 of the total and the females – 247.{{more}}

Taking the second place was the X-Cel Track Club on 568 points. The bulk of X-Cel’s points were attained by the males – 510 and the females contributed 58.

Meanwhile, the 2015 winners X-Ceed Sports Club placed third with 540 points. Their tally was accounted for by the males – 314 and females – 226.

High Performance, previously called N2P, docked in fourth with 322, while Chatoyer scored 165 points; Bequia United – 146 and System Three – 27, making up the other positions of the competing units.

But it was a bitter-sweet title for winning coach Michael Ollivierre, who although happy that his club took the title, bemoans the lethargy in the push by authorities to procure a synthetic track for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“There is talent here, but the athletes need a track to take their talent to the next level,” Ollivierre told SEARCHLIGHT.

In the interim, Ollivierre is calling for more opportunities given to home based athletes to be part of regional track and field meets.

“More must be done by all involved to enhance track and field in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Ollivierre added.

Ollivierre opined that this year’s championships were the best executed since his club first participated in 2011.

He lauded the efforts of technical official Woodrow Williams, as well as the personnel manning the timing unit, as results were available within minutes of the races, and the overall positions ready in similar fashion.(RT)