Linden champs again
Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) better known simply as ‘Linden’ once again came, saw and conquered.
The gold and black clad outfit retained the coveted Champion of Champions Trophy when the 60th edition of ‘Nationals’ concluded last night at the National Track and Field Centre.
During the six-day event, District 10 amassed 71 points on the backs of several gold medal and record breaking performances by some of the nation’s best budding swimming, cycling and track stars.
It was the District’s 19th overall win and sixth in a row for the event which returned following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Disrtrict 11 and the host, District 3 (West Demerara) tied for second overall with 54 points thanks to several gold medal and record breaking performances by their standout athletes, Keliza Smith, Attoya Harvey, Odida Parkinson and Javon Roberts.
Placing fourth overall was District 7 on 48 points, while District Four completed the top five with 46 points.
Aided by the wheels of star cyclist, Clivicia Spencer, District 10 was also victorious in the cycling segment of the event.
District 10 tallied 245 points to earn the winner’s cycling trophy.
Surprisingly close on their wheels were the riders of District 7 (Bartica) who racked up 238 points afters two exciting days of racing on Sunday and Monday.
The last time ‘Nationals’ was staged in 2019, District 6 emerged winners, this year they had to settle for a third place finish with 204 points. District 13 (133 points) and District 11 (97 points) completed the top five.
North Georgetown, despite not winning the overall title once again, made big splashes in the pool and emphatically won the swimming championships with 418 points.
In the pool, District 10 placed second with 351 points, followed by District 7 (Cuyuni Mazaruni) on 215 and District 12
(East Georgetown) on 187. Completing the top five was District 2 (Essequibo Coast-Pomeroon) on 174 points.
‘Linden’ however were the runaway champs in the Track and Field segment with 706 points.
As the teams take home hardware for their collective efforts of the pupils and teachers, there were some athletes who had exceptional individual performances.
They included champion boys and girls in their respective categories who also smashed several records like Smith, Parkinson, Harvey and others like Tianna Springer, Malachi Austin, Omar James and Akeelah Dover.
Up to press time, In excess of 40 new records were recorded with many more to be added by the Track and Field athletes.
After a heavy downpour, the wellattended event concluded under the floodlights in the presence of Deputy Chief Education Officer, Fazia Baksh, President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte and other notable attendees.
In 2023, the event will celebrate its 61st year, and according to General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald, the goal should be a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders to make the fixture a better one.