The C.H. Reeves Raptors and the C.V. Bethel Stingrays are expected to be strong forces in defense of their respective junior and senior track and field Government Secondary Schools Sporting Association (GSSSA) titles next week, when the annual championships get underway at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the junior high schools will be in competition, and the seniors will compete on Thursday and Friday. This year, the meet will be held under the theme, "Celebrating our Youth through Academics and Athletics", and the Vitamalt-sponsored event promises to be an exciting one, according to GSSSA President Varel Davis.
"We are asking the general public to please support us as we try to make this one of the best meets ever," she said. "On behalf of the GSSSA, I want to say a special thank you to Vita Malt for their donation, also to the Ministry of Education for their support over the last 23 years."
Tickets for the four days of competition are $3 each for students, $5 each for general admission for the public and $10 each for the VIP section.
Vitamalt Brand Manager Stacy Mackey considered it an honor to be a part of the meet. She expressed enthusiasm in knowing that they are aiding the development of youth sports in The Bahamas.
"We really think this is going to be a great event," she said. "We're looking forward to it, because we feel these athletes have great potential, and we hope they can one day become Olympic athletes. We also have a lot of prizes and giveaways in store for the event."
Technical advisor for the meet Fritz Grant noted that International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rules would be strictly enforced over the course of the competition.
"This is a Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) event, and we are expecting a tough competition," he said. "So far, we've had a few people qualify for CARIFTA, and this meet will serve as a CARIFTA qualifier as well. It can also qualify them for other youth championships that will be contested by the BAAA moving forward. We're always looking forward to record-breaking performances. Last year, we had about 10-15 broken in the senior division, and about five in the junior, and are looking for even more to fall this year."
Newly elected Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO) President Ray Hepburn encourages coaches to remain composed throughout the meet, even though they may disagree with some rulings. He also advised them to monitor the number of athletes they use during competition.
"I'm asking that they not kill out one athlete, by putting them in a number of events, leaving them with a bad experience of the championships," said Hepburn. "Sometimes a coach's will to win interferes with things, and they kill out one athlete, rather than using their full rosters."
Nicola McKay, president of the New Providence Association of Public High School Principals (NPAPHSP), added: "Our theme this year emphasizes the fact that you can't have one without the other. No matter how good you are in athletics, without the right level of academics, you'll still have trouble making it."
At the meet, the Stingrays will be looking to capture a third straight senior title, while the Raptors go after their 12th straight victory in the junior division.
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