DEFENDING champions Naggo Head will be seeking a third straight triumph at the 31st SWIZZZLE/INSPORTS four-day Primary Athletics Championships which begins this morning at the National Stadium at 10 o’clock.

A record 65 schools will be vying for the overall title, along with the respective champion boys and girls categories.

Over 3,000 athletes will grace the newly laid National Stadium track. However, some already have a feel as they participated in the JTA/Sagicor Championships last week.

Last year, Naggo Head won the championships with a combined score of 187 points, followed by New Providence 128, St Catherine 94, Portsmouth, St Benedict’s 88, Friendship 78 and Greater Portmore.

Fifteen events will be contested on today, with no final scheduled. They are the boys long jump; 4x100m relays, all four classes; 800m sprint medley for boys and girls Open; 800m Open for boys and girls, an the 4x200m relay for boys and girls.

Without the participation of one of the strongest schools, former champions St Benedict’s, more points should be spread around, thus making it more interesting for Saturday’s final day where the majority of the finals will be contested.

Meanwhile, Floyd Coke who has been the coach of Naggo Head for more than a decade, said he is very confident the Bridgeport-based team will make it three-in-a-row as the team is quite strong.

“We have an all-round team and it’s no less powerful than last year as it’s better and stronger. We have successfully won all the development meets… participated in this year and they are ready to produce the goods,” said Coke.

He believes New Providence, St Catherine, Portsmouth and St John’s will be their main challengers.

Coach of New Providence, Keith Wright, said last year the team had injury problems, but this year he was able to prevent injuries occurring again before this championship.

“The athletes are raring to go and…are confident, motivated and well prepared for the tough challenges… We’ve placed second on many occasions (but) the team is hungry for championships honours and we’re going out there to win,” Wright said.

Marcia Nephew, coach of St Catherine, said preparations for the team went well in all areas: “I think we should… do well in the hurdles, the Class One girls, and the Class Three boys and girls events…,” said Nephew.

Participating schools: Naggo Head, New Providence, St Catherine, Portsmouth, Waterford, Friendship, Spanish Town, Greater Portmore, Angels, St Francis, St Patrick’s, Morant Bay, Harbour View, Bridgeport, Excelsior, Rousseau, Southborough, Jericho, Seaview Gardens, Clan Carthy, Lawrence Tavern, St John’s, Ensom City, Pembroke Hall, Alpha, Duhaney Park, Cassava River, Holy Family, Simon, Gregory Park, George Headley, Port Henderson, Port Royal, St Peter Claver, Maxfield Park, Balmagie, St Richard’s, Ewarton, Belmont Park, Allman Town, Ascot, August Town, Chetolah Park, Craighton, Dupont, Elletson, Golden Spring, Half-Way-Tree, Holy Rosary, Hope Valley Experimental. Horizon Park, Independence City, Jack’s Hill, Jessie Ripoll, McAuley, Mona Heights, North Street, Mountain View, Rollington Town, St Aloysius and Tarrant.