Chester Morgan and Leonard Scrubb are obviously pleased with the performances of their athletes in the recently concluded Inter Primary and Secondary Schools Athletics Championship.
Morgan’s Central Leeward Secondary School were champions in both male and female categories of the Secondary schools; and the Scrubb’s Stephanie Browne Primary School (SBPS) were repeat winners among the Primary schools.
Scrubb commented that he was confident especially going into the finals with a commanding lead over their nearest rivals.
“We have this programme that we have year-round in school but due to the Covid it was absent in the school for the last two years. But as soon as we heard of the resumption of the inter-school sports, we started keeping the athletes fit during the PE sessions. …. Given the short notice and short time to prepare I think they (athletes) performed well and I am very proud of them… .”
He added, “Overall I was pleased in the way the Championship was organized but there is always room for improvement.”
For coach Morgan it was the result he expected. “It was planned for years now…. during the COVID-19 it was a bit expensive preparing the athletes but it eventually paid off for the athletes and the school. It was also a boost for the athletes who made the Carifta team.”
Morgan highlighted that he made some mistakes depriving a few athletes of the opportunity to make the Carifta team. “I take full responsibility for that,” he conceded.
Overall, he was pleased with the way the athletes performed and gave thanks to the teachers, parents and other coaches for their support.
From an overall perspective Morgan said. “It was heartening to see the overall talents from the primary and secondary school athletes. It’s a lot of positive going forward.”
He repeated his urging of the Ministry of Education to adopt the approach of the Leeward Schools in terms of having zonal school events.
Morgan also spoke of a ‘Lace-it-up Program’ through which athletics’ shoes (spikes) are donated to clubs.
“The persons we have reached out to for assistance aren’t enough, so we are urging persons overseas to assist as the spikes here are very costly,” Morgan appealed.