The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE National High School Track & Field Championships was originally scheduled to commence today but logistical issues forced the event to be postponed.

Addressing the House of Assembly yesterday, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson promised a merger of events with several marquee meets on the schedule.

“Over the next several weeks we have three major events, all involving high school students. We have a major event set in the coming weeks. There will be a combined effort with the National Championships, the CARIFTA Trials, and the IAAF World Relays 2017 Test Event for 2017,” he said.

“I want the young people around the Bahamas to know there will be a combined event with the best talent around the country in one place, at one time, in one meet.”

The new date for the meet has yet to be solidified.

Representing the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, former BAAA President Mike Sands said the accommodation of hundreds of visiting Family Island athletes became a challenge for the event organisers.

“Due to the overwhelming response of entries from the Family Islands, which totals over 550 athletes, we had a difficult time securing hotel rooms.

“Despite our best efforts with the hotels identified, we were still unable to secure the sufficient amount,” he said.

The 2016 event was hosted at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in April.

Taking first place in the Girls’ Under-14 division was the Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors with 98.50 points. Queen’s College was the Girls’ Under-16 champion school with 109 points and also won the Girls’ Under-18 division with 162 points. The CR Walker Knights won the Girls’ Under-20 division with 176 points.

In the male division, the Tabernacle Falcons, with 85 points, won the Under-14 title. QC was the Under-16 division winner with 128.50 points, the Falcons dominated the Under-18 Division, taking first place with 121 points, and the Under-20 boys a first place finish with 162 points.

The CARIFTA Track and Field Championships is scheduled for April 15-17 in Curacao.