Stadium ablaze tomorrow
By Anthony De Beauville

The George Odlum National Stadium is expected to be the hot spot on the island tomorrow when the Department of Youth and Sports along with its sponsors stages its most talked about activity for secondary school students and thousands are expected to converge at the fast dilapidating facility.
Well over 300 athletes are expected to blaze the track in what Ministry officials have predicted will be a keenly contested championship costing the Ministry a whooping $111,000.00. Twenty two out of the 23 participating secondary schools are hoping to strike some good fortune on how they will keep the power house in school sports Vieux - Fort Comprehensive at bay this time around if they are to be constantly on the medal podium.
Action is expected to commence at 9:45 am with an eye catching opening ceremony as the thousands present will see the usual march past of teams and officials. Following will be the National Anthem, prayers, addresses by Ministry of Education officials, the Department of Youth and Sports and St. Lucia Athletic Association, sponsors, athletes and official oaths.

At the bell, all eyes will be on the police as the organizers are hoping that they will arrive well ahead of the scheduled start and are not caught unprepared, to execute the many plans they have to ensure that total safety for all remains the order of the day for the patrons coming to witness St. Lucia’s young talent at their very best.
After two days of preliminary rounds of track and field events which commenced on Monday 10th and Wednesday 12th March, a number of records have been shattered in all three divisions for boys and girls and more are expected to be broken on Friday at the grand finals. The most talked about 4x100 and 4x400 metres will see the likes of VFCSS, Anse Ger, SMC, Micoud, Choiseul, Leon Hess, Castries Comprehensive, St. Joseph’s Convent, Soufriere and Vide Boutielle vying for supremacy.
Meanwhile, the following athletes from my vantage point has earned the right to be in the final and by the look of things they all seem set to give it their all. They are Rolstan Pamphile, Gina Edwards, Steffi St. Croix, Pernell Mitchell, Avril Robinson, Silverius Vidal, , Shane Dosserie, Claudius Francis and Melissa Mitchell just to name a few out of the record number slated to compete on the day.
So the stage is set for what is expected to be a thrilling day with nail biting moments, scintillating performances, epic finishes and glorious sportsmanship. To the athletes, the moment is now yours to shine as your fate lies within you and the finish line. Go for it, the best of luck to all participating athletes.