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National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships
Minister Roopnarine acknowledges sports’ importance as activities get underway
The National Stadium was transformed into a hive of colourful activity
Competing Districts line-up at the Opening Ceremony of the National Schools’ Championships 2015.
when schools from 15 districts convened at its Providence EBD location, to compete for honours in the 55th National Schools’ Cycling, and Track and Field Championships which got underway on Monday and concludes this Friday; the Swimming aspect of the meet is held at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal ECD.
Minister of Education with responsibility for sports, Rupert Roopnarine, attended the event and delivered the keynote address moments after taking the salute as the splendidly uniformed athletes marched past.
The Minister was joined by Chairperson of the Region 4 Regional Democratic Council, Genevieve Allen, President of the Guyana Teachers Union, Mark Lyte, Director of Sports, Chris Jones, and several other high level officials of the Ministry of Education.
Minister Roopnarine reminisced of his active days on the tracks and urged the participants to compete with zeal. He said that the championships are the only national event of such immense scope and his government will acknowledge this fact from a policy level. He said that two powerful athletics nation, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, have strong school programmes and their world class athletes would have benefitted from similar initiatives. Minister Roopnarine said that sports are a vital part of individuals’ lives and contributes to the development of the country as a whole. He also reminded the athletes that irrespective of the final results they should feel proud as their participation was laudable. “There will be many winners but no losers since you would have done what many others failed to drum up the courage to do,” exhorted the Minister.
Mr. Lyte said that the occasion will allow patrons to witness the nation’s best athletes in action. He also lauded the organizers for their commitment and dedication and further posited that the time has come for sports to be cemented into the schools’ curriculum. “You are all champions in your own right,” he reminded the athletes. Mr. Lyle also acknowledged the input of the corporate community and singled out Banks DIH Ltd, Digicel, Courts and Giftland for their contribution towards the success of the meet.
Ms Allen, in her welcoming remarks also advocated the importance of Physical Education on the schools’ curriculum even as she urged the athletes to be of exemplary behavior. “I know that (winning) medals and trophies will be on your minds but I urge you to be good sportspersons even as you aspire for those achievements,” she said.
Meanwhile, patrons were treated to physical displays by students of three Primary Schools all out of the Linden, Mackenzie, Regma, One Mile and Watooka Day Primary. Shortly afterwards, students of the reigning champion district, North Georgetown, performed the symbolic task of lighting the torch moments before the principal groups of athletes and officials, recited the games’ oath.
The championships continue at the same venue today.
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