THE DISTRICT 10 National School Championship team, after being declared champions of this year’s recently-concluded competitions at the national stadium, jollified with upbeat music as its entourage entered the town of Linden.The team in the official colour of yellow and black shook the foundation of the main thoroughfare, grabbing the attention of their fellow Lindeners as the athletes showed off the numerous trophies and medals after one week of vigorous competition. To many Lindeners, this victory was not a surprise, as District 10 is no stranger to bringing home the bacon. But what prompted the extra celebrations, was the fact that this year’s victory, allowed Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani to become the first district to win the most championships after entering this year deadlock with District 11 (North Georgetown).
A well prepared and optimistic team left the bauxite town of Linden on November 20 in time for the competition that commenced the next day. There was no room for over-confidence given the record of their toughest rivals. They had to remain focused and to put into practice all that was instilled in them by the various coaches in the months of preparations. The team did just that and the win was enough compensation.
Many wonder what’s the secret behind the district’s regular wins, but as the old saying goes: “If you don’t’ know my story, don’t envy me for my glory.”
On Tuesday, the four coaches responsible for the district’s numerous victories, not only at the national level but at many international championships, spoke of the untiring and rough journey of becoming champions. For the Upper Demerara Kwakwani District, the secret lies in the continuous preparation. In fact the formation of two clubs: The Upper Demerara Schools and the Christianburg Wismar Tract and Field, sifts out students from sometimes the tender age of six if they display passion and athletic skills. More than 90% of the students who participate in the National School Championships are a part of these clubs, hence practice and training are a part of their daily routine. The coaches would also take the initiative to go to the riverain areas such as Kwakwani and Ituni to give periodic training to these students as well.
As the championship nears, the clubs would come together and train as one. “Because of the clubs, we have a nursery, so as fast as the athletes step out, those in the nursery step in, so as fast as an under16 athlete goes up, new students are stepping up all the time,” one coach revealed
Challenges
The coaches revealed that preparations for the championships are never a walk in the park as the absence of an all-weather track and limited sporting equipment present several challenges. In addition to this, limited finances on the part of the athletes also pose as a challenge. “We would normally have to go and borrow Georgetown mats, hire a truck and bring it to Linden because the Region doesn’t have a jumping mat or a pole. Everything we do is make-shift.”
Despite these challenges the team continues to shine not only at the National level but several of its members also represent Guyana at various regional and international events such as the Inter Guiana Games and the CARIFTA games. After competing at these competitions 98% of the time, Linden athletes, return with medals. “Sometime the preparation for the team is not easy. We would go home like 12 o’clock in the night, or 1 am in the morning just to get the children ready. Sometimes the teachers have to fund the children to go home. Sometimes we would have to give them a little snack and we would do it. It calls for a lot of dedication and commitment for the persons who are involved and that is how Upper Demerara would normally get the support of the team members and we would work to the end.
At this year’s championships, the district broke six records in the track and field championships. These champion athletes include Dequan Farrel who was the Under 8 champion boy, Deshanna Skeete was the under 16 champion girl, Jonathon Copeland broke the male under 16 record, Shantoba Bright broke the long jump record while Daniel Williams was the under 18 champion boy.
The district emerged winners of the track and field category while bringing second in the swimming and cycling categories. Some of the challenges faced by the swimming team were limited female swimmers and the absence of a public swimming facility to have regular practice sessions. Swimming Coach Mary Chung is calling for the swift reopening of the Mackenzie Swimming Pool so that the team can have a facility for regular training sessions that would allow them to emerge winners next year. The Coach is also calling for sponsors as there was need for financial assistance for the betterment of the team.
Weak Areas
Despite emerging the champions, the coaches have not failed to notice the weak areas that deserve more attention and more training. Attention will be given to the younger athletes as well as the teachers who compete. Recommendations were given for track events and field events to be held separate days and at the same venue as it is physically tiring for an athlete to compete in different types of events on different field surfaces. This year’s championship win can be added to the other years:
1986, 88, 91, 92, 97, 98, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015.