The cream of Bermuda's athletics community are expected to compete in the annual National Track and Field Championships this weekend.

Approximately 300 athletes - young and not so young - are expected to vie for supremacy in various events at the National Sports Centre.

The two-day classic, organised by Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA), will feature competition for both males and females across the age-group spectrum: Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-17, Under-20, Open and Masters. Action begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 3.30 p.m. on Sunday. There will also be an opening ceremony.

Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in every event and there will also be attractive trophies for the champion male and female athletes in all eight age divisions.

Among the Island's young top performers likely to be in action are Damali Bell (jumper), David Brunson (an age-group champion at the middle-schools athletics championships), Angela Dickinson, Danlia Martin (both represented champions Sandys Middle School), Trey Simons (the 2003 Front Street Mile winner in the Under-12 race and one of the champions at the primary schools championships), Tre Houston (sprinter and jumper), Deanne Lightbourn (age-group champion at the middle schools championships), Donte Leverock (sprinter), Aaron Simons, Matthew Spring, Nandi Woods, Whitney Matthew and Marcus Ming.

While many of the younger competitors are aiming to qualify for next month's Russell E. Blunt/East Coast Invitational in the USA, some older ones have other goals in mind and will be looking to impress as they stake claims for places at the IAAF World Youth Championships, also being held next month.

Deon Brangman has already qualified for the latter meet with his showing at the CARIFTA Games at Easter but he will want to record another solid performance in the high jump and have his selection confirmed.

Latroya Darrell, who won the CARIFTA silver medal in high jump, will be trying to reach the qualifying marks in that event as well as in the triple jump to secure a berth to the IAAF junior meet.

Brothers Jay (possibly in the 5000 metres) and Michael Donawa (800 metres) will likely be eyeing national selection to the biennial Senior Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships in Grenada next month. Richard Walcott, a 2001 CARIFTA silver medallist with an 800-metre time around 1:53 minutes is expected to challenge Michael in the two-lap event.

Sprinter Xavier James, a Commonwealth Games athlete, will be looking to consolidate his selection to the CAC Championships and Pan American Games with good performances this weekend. Overseas-based Gabriel Wilkinson, the co-holder of the junior men's national records in the shot putt and discus, could be competing as well.