The Ministry of Education has announced that the recently commissioned Bayroc National Stadium in Linden will host the National Secondary Schools Athletics Championships in 2027.
The announcement came during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Championships on the West Coast of Demerara, marking a significant milestone in the government’s strategy to decentralise elite sporting facilities.
The ongoing championships feature over 1,250 athletes from 138 schools.
“We want to make sure our students are rising in the right way. This event gives students an identity—it is not only for participation, but where we identify our national athletes”, the Minister stated.
The ‘Nationals’, which underwent a structural remodel in 2025, has been shifted from November to March.
This strategic move aligns the event with regional standards, specifically targeting the CARIFTA Games held over the Easter weekend.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., revealed that the athletic community will gain access to “elite overseas coaches” next month. The initiative aims to bring scientific methodology to local training programmes.
“We have the raw talent, we always did—but you have to have the right training programme,” Ramson noted, describing the championships as the most significant event for identifying future world champions.
Additionally, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. confirmed that while the Bayroc facility is now operational, a second synthetic track at the New Amsterdam National Stadium is nearing commission.
“We have the raw talent, we always did, but you have to have the right training programme,” Ramson said. He revealed that beginning next month, the local track and field community will gain access to “elite overseas coaches” to introduce scientific training methodologies.
The government’s strategy aims to bridge the gap between “raw talent” and “world champions” through disciplined, data-driven training.
“This is the most significant track and field event that happens because it is here we identify our future world champions,” Ramson added.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, emphasised that the investments of the last five years are a core pillar of the government’s youth development policy.
Officials now view the current three-day championships, held at the National Track and Field Facility on the West Coast of Demerara, as the primary venue for scouting future world-class competitors.
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