By Michelangelo Jacobus
In overcast conditions, the 61st Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) National Schools Cycling, Swimming, and Track & Field Championships officially opened yesterday afternoon at the National Track & Field Centre at Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara.
Despite the grey skies, the excitement and enthusiasm of the student athletes shone through, more so in the home district when their star distance athlete, Odida Parkinson, entered the facility to District 3’s (West Demerara) raucous applause.
Parkinson won the Boys 10K Road Race without competition in sight, crossing the finish line unchallenged. He stopped the clock at 36 minutes, 58.56 seconds, while David Bovell of District 5 was a distant second with 37 minutes, 27.90 seconds. Closing out the podium was District 6’s Solomon Lowenfield (31:21.50). On the distaff race, Vanytta Francis of District 9 took the gold in 46 minutes, 51.96 seconds, to the delight of her on-looking teammates. District 10’s Royanna Hermonstine was some distance behind for her silver, stopping the clock at 49 minutes, 09.51 seconds, while Sheleima Alberts (District 2) copped bronze in 53 minutes, 35.50 seconds, to get her district up and running in terms of points.
Earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Mark Philips, who was standing in for President Irfaan Ali, officially declared the championships open, after which the symbolic torch of ‘Nationals’ was lit by student athletes from the reigning champions, District 10(Upper Demerara/Kwakwani).
During his keynote address, the Prime Minister urged the athletes to combine academics with their athletics. He also announced that the second-best overall athlete would be given a full scholarship to the University of Guyana through the Public Service Ministry. This is to compliment the scholarship that Digicel will be giving to the best overall athlete at the championships.
He expounded, “It is important to twin athletics with academics. Through the Public Service Ministry, we will be providing a scholarship for the second-best athlete. Every athlete must aim not only to do their best in sports but also to pursue a tertiary education. Nationals are just part of your preparation for the development of life; twinning academics with your sports is important. Twin your athletic prowess with your academic pursuit; that is the message I leave with you today.”
Phillips further commended the GTU and the Ministry of Education for their 61 years of collaboration in pulling off the championships. He told the athletes that he too once benefitted from that collaboration, explaining, “Like you, I was once an athlete; we have 1600 of you here representing 15 districts from across Guyana. You are here today because you went to Inter House, Inter Schools, and Inter Zones, and now you are here at Nationals. Whether you win here or not, you are now a national athlete. The next step is for you to become an international athlete.”
“I ask that when you compete, put your best foot forward. While you’re here, enjoy the camaraderie, but don’t lose focus. Represent your district at your best”, he added.
The PM also spoke of next year’s championships, which he disclosed would be hosted in Linden once the Synthetic Track facility in that region is complete, positing, “It is the intention of the government to continue building sports infrastructure across Guyana.”
On the other hand, Dr. Mark Lyte, President of the GTU, expressed pleasure that the GTU has joined hands with the Ministry of Education again for the 61st time, stating, “We are here, where our athletes from 15 districts gather after months of preparation. As we look around, we realise the work put in to make the championships a reality.”
He spoke of the hard work done together by the two bodies to make a platform to show the country’s young stars to the world, declaring, “Not only oil, gold, and diamonds are in Guyana, but our human resources as well. Coming out of the championship, we will see the next generation of talent.”
Also present to address the athletes was Chief Education Officer Saddam Husain, who called the championships “a celebration of talent.”
He further stated, “Sports is a powerful thing. It unites us. I call on you to do your very best to dig deep down and pull that little more that will get you over the finish line. It is very important that we have all kinds of activities that promote healthy living. Nothing more than athletics promotes healthiness.”
The championships will continue today with the cycling segment at the National Park, while the swimmers will dive into action at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal.
