The atmosphere was buzzing as 800 pupils from primary, intermediate and year 1 to 6 schools from around Otago competed in the finals of the Otago primary schools championships at the Caledonian Ground yesterday.
The 1200-seat grandstand and the grass embankment were packed as the budding superstars displayed their skills.
The Otago Primary School Sports Association was formed 80 years ago, and the annual competition sports started in the early 1930s. Zone meetings are held in South Otago, Central Otago and North Otago, as well as two in Dunedin, with the first three qualifiers in each event qualifying for the final.
About 2000 pupils from 140 schools took part in the qualifying rounds. The event was formerly held on the grass track at the University Oval but has been staged at the Caledonian Ground since the all-weather track was shifted to Logan Park in the late 1990s.
