The National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships has reached the magnitude where it has expanded too much to be hosted at small facilities, which is why the competition is once again being held in Region 4, primarily at the Guyana National Stadium.According to events PRO, Edison Jefford a feasibility study was carried out to judge the possibility of having the Championships staged at the National Track and Field Centre on the West Coast of Demerara, which houses a synthetic track facility.

“This Championship has outgrown small facilities” Jefford related “The national Schools Championships is Guyana single biggest cycling, swimming and track and field event, the magnitude of this event certainly outgrows the synthetic track at Leonora. We have gone on several separate occasions to conduct feasibility studies, and the two Northern stands cannot facilitate 1500 plus athletes and spectators, we would have to more or less construct facilities to accommodate these athletes properly.”

Jefford pointed out that given the growth that the event has seen over the years, and given the ultimate level that the competition wishes to occupy, then the National Stadium remains the only venue with sufficient capacity to host the event.

“If we’re looking to grow this event, where we’re looking to take this event to the National Stadium is perhaps the only venue that can accommodate this event in Guyana at the level that we want it. And this is why it has been held in Georgetown since 2010.” Jefford said

Jefford was speaking on Saturday at a briefing to bring the media up to scratch on the on-going preparations for the Championships which will run from November 23 – 27.

Also present at the press conference head table were Competitions Director, Seon Bristol and Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) president, Mark Lyte, Regional Chairwoman of Region 4, Genieve Allen, Banks DIH Representative, Clayton McKenzie, and Principal Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Education (MoE), Glendon Forgenay.
Bristol assured that all systems are in place for the hosting of the Championships, while Lyte declared that the nation can expect a bigger and better Championships, when the event gets underway on November 23.

Acknowledging that the preparations for the Championships faced some initial hiccups, Lyte shared that the organisers have been able to overcome all obstacles and shareholders can expect another fruitful hosting of the competition.
“Even though we have had a slow start, things have picked up. We have worked assiduously to ensure that there is a Championships in 2015, there were various bottlenecks and I am glad to say we have overcome such and supporters will get their money’s worth.” Lyte stated.

“All the teachers from the varying districts are ready and raring to go, and the GTU is extremely proud to be a part of this National Championships.” Lyte continued.

This year the competition is set to run across five days, with the teams set to arrive at the Games Village on Sunday, November 22, this is as opposed to previous years when the competition was held across four day periods, begin the Tuesday and the students would arrive on the Monday.
Bristol shared that this was a deliberate action on the part of the organisers to increase the number of days so that the competition can be completed at earlier times on each day.

“This year Championships will be utilising five days starting from the 23rd. For this year we try to spread the Championships out so that we have less events on the different days, so that we can complete the days, we won’t be going into the evenings as is normal.
For this year we’re trying not to go that late, we’re trying the best to complete within daylight, which is why we have stretched the championships to the five days. “ Bristol said.

The competition gets underway from Monday November 23, with the swimming at the National Aquatic Centre on the East Coast, the shot put, long jump and triple jump field events at the YMCA ground, and the 10km road race, and 40km and 25km cycle road races on the East Coast public road. The principal track championships begins from Tuesday, November 24.

Regional Chairwoman, Allen, expressed her elation that the prestigious competition is once again being held within her region. She also implored upon the residents of the region and country at large to come out in their numbers to support the athletes and the event.

“We of the region are happy that the Championships will be held within our constituency. I want to say t I want to take this opportunity to say to all of the residents of region four, that we should be very proud that these championships are going to be held in our constituency, and I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to come out in your large numbers to lend support to our athletes.” Allen remarked.

Meanwhile, MoE’s Fogenay took the opportunity to bid to corporate sponsors to come on board and support the event. Thus far corporate sponsors include longstanding sponsors Banks DIH, Digicel and Giftland.

By Tamica Garnett