The organising committee for the National Primary Schools Athletics Championship (NAPSAC) outlined their plans for the 2022 track season during the official launch and press conference held this morning at the Garfield Sobers Sorts Complex.
Tied in with its 20th anniversary, NAPSAC Championship Director Julian Pierre during his speech announced that the first event on the list is a Zonal Get Moving Festival scheduled to be held virtually from March 14th to 18th in the Under-7 to Under -13 age groups.
The next major event slated is the Cross Country Relay Championships planned for May 10th to 13th at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex in the Under-9 to Under-13 Divisions.
Pierre told those present including sponsors and other stakeholders that the committee has decided that with the COVID-19 restrictions, it would be best to leave out the U-7s as it may prove challenging to get them to adhere to the health and safety protocols.
He echoed the sentiment of Chairman Janelle Denny, saying that it was important to create some excitement relating to the upcoming events, especially since the children had attended school virtually throughout the full first term.
NAPSAC intends to have a central location for the Zonal Day which will be at the headquarters of the National Sports Council at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
“This would allow for anything needed for a successful showing, including mascots, props and materials for advertisers, with the focus on targeting the general audience. It would also allow personnel and stored equipment for streaming, lighting, sound and videography to be managed efficiently. Sponsors on board would be able to choose winners for the give-aways as well,” Pierre explained.
For the virtual Get Moving Festival, the physical education teacher or internet coordinator will create a Google classroom for the session, add the athletes and they would share their screen through the zoom link provided. The instructor conducting the session will be at the NSC and there will be water and bathroom breaks facilitated and there will also be a lunch break during the day.
“Some of the prizes will be awarded for categories such as the most energetic school, best-dressed athlete as well as the most answered questions in the question and answer segment (U11 and U13) on track and field general knowledge and the sponsors,” he added.
Regarding the Cross Country Relay Championships at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex, the days would be separated into two zonal competitions with the first zone competing in the morning from 9 am to 12 p.m. and the second taking the track in the afternoon from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Under-9s will compete in a mixed division 4x400m event, two boys and two girls in any order. For the Under-11 there will be both a boys and girls 4x600m event and the Under-13s will run 4x800m relays. The athletes would be competing in alternate lanes, to ensure the health and safety distancing protocols.
The Zone meets will be timed finals, therefore the fastest three times throughout all the zones will be awarded the best three schools of the cross country relay championships.
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