The students kept the vibes alive as the 2026 Dasani Barbados Secondary Schools Athletic Championship (BSSAC) descended on the Usain Bolt Sports Complex yesterday.
After the early day on Wednesday, the action returned for a much longer card for day two, with car parks full and drivers occupying every available spot.
The opening ceremony ushered in the teams, led by their respective principals during the parade with the traditional Olympic Games theme in the background, which added that bit of flavour to the occasion.
The athletes looked confident, regardless of how large or small the team was, and it was excellent to see the Alma Parris Academy and some of the private schools there, even though with smaller student bodies or athletic resources.
The school’s track uniforms have become more unique every year, eclipsing the designs of bygone eras.
Bernadine Lowe, the deputy principal of Parkinson Memorial School, blessed the games after all in attendance stood in reverence to the National Anthem.
Khalil Bryan, the 2025 victor ludorum, said the athletes’ oath, Kevin Carter shared the officials’ oath, and Shernell Clarke sang the BSSAC anthem. The St Leonard’s Secondary Boys’ School Steel Orchestra serenaded the crowd with lead vocalist Joshua Osbourne delivering a sweet rendition of Push and Go Through that would make Marvay proud. The orchestra followed with hits like Tek Charge from Lead Pipe and Brucelee Almightee’s Tomorrow.
The stands, though not full, had plenty of action, especially on the students’ side.
A small band made up of The St Michael’s School (SMS) student Ethan John, Yael Ufford from Harrison College and Malique Hackett also from SMS kept the athletes bouncing all day. The St Michael’s School was so energetic that it bled over to the adults who moved with them from time to time.
As the races went on, the athletes’ village was full of activity as competitors and physical education teachers hustled about and kept themselves mentally sharp. The parents watched and at times ran to get a better view of the children competing, like Arnold “Gozzy” Goslin, a gospel artist and host of the radio show Bold Face Saturdays, who was there to happily watch his daughter compete.
Food is the source of life, and one of the two main canteens was Foxy’s, an establishment owned by Ann Harewood, who has been a long-standing vendor at BSSAC.
“I’m always happy, and I’ve been coming to BSSAC from the time it was at the National Stadium. Well, I love cooking, and I love people, and that’s why I love travelling and coming out to these events. I’ve been here all last week, and things have been going very well, very good indeed.”
One of the event sponsors, Digicel, was in attendance, and their representative encouraged patrons to spin the wheel and win prizes ranging from umbrellas to car brackets. The Nation Sports also spoke with Digicel marketing representative Yannick Burrowes, who shared about her days as an athlete.
“So what we’re trying to do here, we’re trying to raise awareness, but at the same time enjoy the vibes that we call BSSAC, as it is something that we all love. I was once an athlete too, so I can remember what it was like to be a part of the excitement.” (SW)
