By Neto Baptiste
Student athletes competing during the Princess Margaret School (PMS) Sports Day, dubbed “Homecoming 2023, the PMS Dynasty”, will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2023 Carifta Games in the Bahamas from April 8-10.
This was revealed by principal Colin Greene, who said the February 15 meet will be sanctioned by the Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association (ABAA) and will be conducted in accordance with their rules and regulations.
“The meet is going to be a sanctioned meet, and so we have to adhere to the rules and regulations put down by the athletics association because any time that they jump, run or throw at the meet is an official time, and they can go forward towards qualifying, so the athletes are in a very serious mode,” he said.
Our sports day is probably one of the best atmospheres to be in because the rhythm is different. There are mass crowds, there is noise, there are horns, so any athlete is going to be hyped up for that, and there is no meet in Antigua that gives them that kind of vibe, not even inter-schools, and that’s just the truth,” he added.
The track and field competition will culminate a series of events being held in celebration of the school’s week of sports and will result in the naming of a champion house for 2023.
Greene said the planning body is in full preparation mode for next Wednesday’s meet to be held at the YASCO Sports Complex.
“Just like last year, we are bringing in seating, and for the western side we have support, and we will be barricading it. Kay Knowles from Knowles Trucking has been graceful enough to assist us with whatever barricades we want. One of the things we are going to do, we are trying to attract a more mature audience this time around, and it’s difficult to seat them on that west side, so this year we have introduced a VIP section on the field, right by the finish line with first class accommodation where we’re bringing in covered tents and raised platforms,” he said.
The principal assured also that all safety regulations will be in place for the anticipated meet.
“We have met with the hierarchy of the police and devised a security plan. We have already hired our own private security company that normally comes to assist, but the main ingredient of the sports day and the preparation comes from the athletes themselves, and so they are in fine form, so you’re going to have some real fantastic running on that day,” Greene said.
Price for the VIP section is $100, and tickets can be bought at the school.