The way is now clear for athletes from private schools to participate in this year's Ministry of Education/ Guyana Teachers Union (GTU)/ Banks Malta, Track and Field, Cycling and Swimming Championships, billed for the Enmore Community Centre ground from March 9 to 12.

According to GTU's immediate past president Lance Baptiste, the union has taken a decision to allow athletes from private schools to participate in this year's championships.

Baptiste said Chief Education Officer (CEO) Ed Caesar was supportive of young talented athletes from registered private schools participating, but a list of the registered private schools from around Guyana is still to be submitted by the ministry.

However, Baptiste said athletes from all private schools will be allowed to participate this year. For the next championships (2005), only those schools that are registered with the ministry will participate. According to reports, the details of the relationship between the ministry and public and private schools are still being worked out.

This year's championships will get underway on March 9 with four cycle road races, a 40K and a 10K for boys and a 25K and a 5K for girls.

The 40K will move off from Dundee Mahaicony, while the 25K will get underway from Fairfield Mahaica. The 10K will wheel-off from Mahaica Hospital Bus Shed and the 5K from Hope Estate turn.

All four races will start simultaneously at 6 am and end at the entrance of the Enmore Ice Factory.

Transportation for cyclists and their cycles will be provided.

On the same day, the swimming championships will be held at the Enmore Estate Swimming Pool, beginning at 9 am.

Meanwhile, Baptiste said union officials met ranks from the Guyana Police Force `C' Division yesterday and had a firsthand look at security arrangements inside and outside the Enmore ground, as well as the schools where the athletes will be housed. (Michael DaSilva)