THE 52nd annual Ministry of Education and Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Digicel-sponsored National Schools Track and Field, Swimming and Cycling Championships got under way yesterday with several events preceding and following the official launching ceremony which was held at Guyana

National Stadium.
Attended by many high-ranking Ministry officials and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, the ceremonial march past of the 16 Districts was the first item on the list followed by a pumped-up speech from the President of the GTU, Colin Bynoe.
Bynoe sounded the roll call in which all the Districts answered with screams that signified they were ready. He hoped it would be one of the most memorable championships.
In his brief remarks he commended the athletes and the officials who put in hard work in preparing for the event.
Dr Anthony opened his remarks by saying “I am pleased to see that more participants have turned out this year for the event. And by hearing such a large number of 1 700 athletes shows that the districts are coming out in larger numbers for the event.”
“We won’t expect only good performances on the field from you because being a good athlete means you must display good discipline and sportsmanship on and off the field,” he said.
Minister Anthony believes that teaching children the importance of sport is best done in the schools so this is an event that will always have full support of the government.
Best wishes were sent from His Excellency President Donald Ramotar to the contingent because he was unable to grace the ceremony with his presence.
His message read: “I congratulate the Guyana Teachers Union and Ministry of Education for their collaboration in these championships and for the ongoing commitment to the holistic development of our schoolchildren.”
“Organising an event of this magnitude is no easy task and I deeply appreciate the hard work that has gone into preparing for the many events that will take course in these champions.”
“It is my wish to see these championships become a medium for identifying the undisputable talent that resides among our schoolchildren and seeing this as a stepping stone to a higher career in sports. Therefore, this championship should be seen as important to the development and future progress in their sporting disciplines.”
“I look forward to a keenly contested and cared championships held in the spirit of good sportsmanship.” These were the final words of the President’s message that echoed throughout the stadium.
The day got under way with the Boys and Girls Open 10K Road Race in which District Nine’s Samuel Caiton won the Boys category in a time of 35 minutes 30 seconds while District 11’s Jevina Straker won the Girls in a time of 44 minutes 20 seconds.
Coming in behind Caiton was District Ten’s Nathaniel Giddings (36:16s), District 11’s Devaun Barrington (37:40s) and District Five’s Grimon Grant (37.46s) who followed Barrington closely. Straker finished ahead of Adama Rioberts (44:30) of District 12 and Regina John (46:27s) of District Nine.
The action moved to the National Aquatic Centre in Liliendaal where, for the seventh consecutive year, District 11 North Georgetown won the swimming championships.
Simultaneously, field events were being contested at the YMCA Long and Triple Jump-pit and GTU Ground, Woolford Avenue.
After Dr Anthony officially declared the games open the athletes stormed the field for just a few events of which the 4x400m Open Boys and Girls heats were the features.
The championship continues until Friday November 23.