BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO gold and as many silver medals have placed Basseterre High School (BHS) in the lead on the first day of the TDC Inter-School Championships.
As expected, the closeness of the competition witnessed yesterday (Mar. 22) saw eight completed events, and though the athletes of BHS has drawn first blood, their counterparts from Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College are hot on their heels with two gold medals.
Defending champions Washington Archibald High School is currently placed sixth with just one gold medal.
The moderate-size crowd at the Silver Jubilee Stadium also had a sneak peak of the 400m as preliminary heats in that event were held.
Overall, the groundwork was laid for what is shaping up to be a very exciting Inter-School Championships this year.
The March Pass of athletes and Opening Ceremony of the games were respectively held following the eight events.
The Stadium came alive with excited spectators cheering the athletes from their respective schools as they marched past displaying unique marching styles.
Nick Menon, Marketing Director of TDC, the major sponsor of the Championships, indicated how proud he is with the St. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Athletic Association’s (SKNAAA) accomplishments over the years and revealed that $45 000 in cash and kind were given as sponsorship for the event.
Menon also saluted the Department of Sports for the recent renovations at the Silver Jubilee Stadium.
Minister of Sports Hon. Glen Phillip explained that every year the games promote three elements.
The first element, he noted, is the provision of a national stage for youths to display skill, speed and endurance, while the second addresses the objective of sponsorship, for which he congratulated TDC on its Ruby Anniversary.
He said the third element is that as a national event, the championships continue to draw impressive crowds and the Ministry of Sports was proud to celebrate it.
President of the SKNAAA Glen Jeffers declared that his Association had experienced three months of trying times without the use of the surface at the Silver Jubilee Stadium and he was happy that renovation works were completed.
He applauded the officials of the meet, coaches, schools, teachers and parents before thanking the sponsors, who he said through tough times still supported the Championships.
The Opening Ceremony witnessed the presence of notable dignitaries from across the Federation. And its main highlight was the declaration of the start of the Championships by Minister Phillip, which was followed by a minute fireworks display, much to the audience’s surprise.
Following the Opening Ceremony, the excited crowd was treated to the Aqua Vita Cheerleading Competition, which was won by Washington Archibald High School with 2012 winners Cayon High School taking second spot and Charles E. Mills Secondary School third.
Verchild’s High School was adjudged Best School in the March Pass after an impressive display that prompted cheers not only from their schoolmates, but also from supporters of the other schools.
Action at the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Stadium continues today (Mar. 23) beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a number of field events, as well as the 200m, 400m, 800m and 4x100m Relay heats, among other exciting events.
