THE National Schools Track and Field, Cycling and Swimming Championships is the most incorporated event in the Education system’s extracurricular activities. It is the only functional sporting event to unite the schools in Guyana’s 10 Administrative Regions through competition.

The 59th edition of the annual 5-day event was hosted in 2019, from November 17 – 22 at the Leonora Track and Field Centre, while swimming took place at the National Aquatic Centre, and cycling at the National Park’s inner cycling circuit.

That edition was won by District 10, Upper Demerara/Kwakwani, which secured their fifth consecutive overall title, pushing the tally to an impressive 18 overall wins.

However, all evidence suggests that the staging of the 60th edition in the near future is quite improbable because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not since the 2003 Teachers’ strike has the championship taken such a serious hit.

Since 2017, the highlight of the event– the track and field aspect– has been hosted at the Leonora Facility with over 1500 students, athletes and officials being housed at the Leonora Secondary, Uitvlugt Secondary and Stewartville Secondary schools.

Realistically, with the implementation of the COVID-19 guidelines and no definite restart date to schools curricular activities, extracurricular activities, like every other sport in the world, will need a rigorous effort to seek a restart.

Added to that, guardian skepticism will also be on the cards that will no doubt hamper the turnout aspect of the event.

Earlier this year, the cycling, athletics and swimming fraternities all cancelled their calendar of events until 2021 due to COVID-19. These fraternities all play a part in the hosting of the Education system’s most prestigious sporting activity.

Conversely, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) revamped their efforts in surging ahead and recently made moves to stage competitions in the penultimate month of this year.

The AAG thought it best to stage a long-distance event while the GCF reopened with a time-trial model competition. However, though well contested, the participation bracket was affected by athletes who were not comfortable to participate during the pandemic and those who were inactive.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) will have no moves being made until 2021 under their new administration. Hence, the few competitive swimming pools in the country remain closed.

For those athletes, officials and fans who expectantly await this event may only see a realization if spread of the virus is completely mitigated and a workable vaccine is available.

Until then, Linden will rightfully hold on to the championship trophy and bragging rights for an unknown extended period.