National Schools’ Championships officially opens

Nov 20, 2008 Sports

Linden sets new standard with gala ceremony

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds declaring the 48th edition of the National Schools

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Region 10's Regional Chairman, Mortimer Mingo raises his arms to acknowledge the applause of the huge crowd Tuesday night after lighting the Games' torch.

By Edison Jefford
Song, poetry and dance welcomed a capacity crowd to the Mackenzie Sports Club Tuesday night to witness the gala opening of the 2008 edition of the National Schools’ Track and Field, Cycling and Swimming Championships.

At a moment’s notice, a foreigner would have probably assumed that the venue was the host of a major international sport event after witnessing the elaborate, impressive, festive and illuminated national schools’ opening ceremony.

Only the stars of heaven were absent from the ceremony in the Mining Town as patrons resorted to the eastern fence for additional seating; there was not an inch of space in the stands as others were forced to stand in the narrow passage ways.

The intermittent light rainfall could not deter the hundreds of spectators from hearing the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) president, Colwyn King bewails the challenges facing the annual event and calling for holistic development of sports.

“We have had great difficulties; funding for the championships is still in jeopardy after months (of negotiation). My problem is that we cannot only develop sports for certain people of Guyana…we need to develop all of Guyana,” he said.

When factoring in the financial deficits of the 16 districts into the GTU deficit, the total shortfall amounted to some $25M plus.

However, Office of the President had committed last Friday to offsetting that difference for the Games.
But there seems to be new developments with Government’s allocation of that money, which King says places the championships in jeopardy. Kaieteur Sport will provide separate coverage of this widening rift in a later issue.

“If we are to go forward, we need to go forward with all races,” the GTU president noted, while lambasting President’s College for setting examination dates to conflict with the championships’ thereby being unable to release their athletes.

“As I speak, President’s College are having exams so students have to choose between sports and examsthat is not right!” King exclaimed, adding that other Caribbean countries are reaping the benefits for investing in sports in schools.

He congratulated Linden for their outstanding work in being able to stage the event and urged the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport “to put mechanisms in place for athletics” ahead of the 2009 championships in Corentyne.

Earlier, Region 10’s Regional Chairman, Mortimer Mingo had welcomed all to Linden and gave a brief overview of the history of great athletes from the town, including the late Elton Jefford, who he said, thrilled with exciting performances.

As the Mackenzie High School Choir sang “We hail thee Guyana” and Regma Primary followed with an emphatic dramatic poetry among other performances including Renee Winter’s song, the way was paved for Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds.

In declaring the games open, Hinds on behalf of President Bharrat Jagdeo, told the gathering that the host venue was ideal for the event.

He thanked the residents of Linden for welcoming visitors from all parts of Guyana to the bauxite community.

Hinds brought greetings from Permanent Secretaries, Ministers and the President before reading Jagdeo’s message to the championships, which expressed hope that keen rivalry, fair play and athletic excellence will be its hallmarks.

On the subject of King’s proclamations, Hinds acknowledged the challenges but reinforced what national poet Martin Carter once wrote: “All are involved, all are consumed,” in a subtle allusion to a song that introduced the Prime Minister.

“My friend, the GTU president, has spoken about plans for the future and challenges…but I want to recall the song just sang, ‘We are the ones to make Guyana proud’. This has been a great opening ceremony,” Hinds added succinctly.

The ceremony’s programme progressed with the singing of the National Anthem and Raising of the National Flag before the Games’ torch reached its final leg after former athletes from various disciplines carried it around central Mackenzie.

Mingo had the due honour of lighting the venue torch, which preceded the fire that was to come on the track as athletes prepared for the male and female open 4x400m relay heats under a starless and hazy atmosphere at the Mackenzie ground.