By: Curtis Morton
Announcer Rudy Browne called it right. ‘Last year we had a tie but this year it’s only jackets.’
He was speaking to the comprehensive win by the Charlestown Primary School in this year’s Gulf Insurance sponsored Inter Primary Schools championships, also dubbed ‘the mini Olympics.’
The meet was held at the ET Willet Park on Wednesday 2nd April under the patronage of former champion athlete, Kasheba Daniel.
The eight participating schools viz joint champions of last year, St.Thomas’ Primary and Charlestown Primary, along with St.James’, VOJN, Maude Cross Prep, Ivor Walters, Joycelyn Liburd and Elizabeth Pemberton, all united in an impressive march past, accompanied by the Gingerland Methodist Church Boys’ Brigade marching band.
The troops were then inspected and formally introduced to the officials who included Premier of Nevis, Hon Vance Amory; Federal Sports Minister Hon Glen Phillip; Hon Hazel Brandy –Williams; officials from the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Education, the Patron, Kasheba Daniel and officials from main sponsors Gulf Insurance Ltd.
Then followed a brief ceremony, ably chaired by Ms Zahnela Claxton, the Coordinator of the Youth Division, which included speeches from Premier Amory; Hon Glenn Phillip; Gulf Insurance representative Mr. John Barclay; NAAA chief Lester Blackett; Hon Hazel Brandy-Williams; and the patron herself who also declared the meet officially open.
Most of the speakers stressed on the overriding theme of ‘everyone is a winner’ and charged the athletes and their supporters to abide by that theme during the course of the meet.
The competition was fierce on the track and the first three races were won by schools with smaller rolls and there seemed to be an upset in the offing.
However, true to form, the joint champions both pulled out all stops to place first and second respectively.
The athletes competed in the 60’ 100; 200; 400; 800 and 1200 meters events and also the 4 X100 and 4X400 meter events.
There were many highlights of the day but standing out would be Carlon Tuckett winning gold in his attempt to break Kieran Powell’s 200 meters record and pumping his fists in jubilation; Dejal Myers saluting to the crowd and later doing the ‘Usain Bolt’ signature victory style; Jean and Pat in their creative costume attire, affectionately referred to by Announcer Chesley Davis as ‘Pop and Toot,’ Headmaster Kevin Barrett of the winning CPS school, bowing as he allowed head Coach Elquemedo Willet the privilege of taking the winner’s trophy and Prime Minster Dr. Denzil Douglas touring the Park with his entourage and drawing loud cheers wherever he went, as individuals lined up for photo opportunities.
The overall results were:
Division A
Champion : Charlestown Primary (CPS) 191 points
1st Runner Up: St. Thomas’ Primary (STPS) 145 points
2nd Runner Up: Joycelyn Liburd Primary (JLP) 141 points
3rd Runner Up: Ivor Walters Primary (IWP) 134.50 points
Division B
Champion: Elizabeth Pemberton (EPPS) 105.5 points
St. James’ Primary (JAMS) 59 points
Violet O J Nichols (VOJN) 54 points
Maude Cross Primary (MCP) 36 points