Bermuda's aspiring track and field athletes will have the chance to shine on centre stage this Saturday.

Prospects from the Island's junior, middle and high schools will converge on the National Sports Centre to compete in the inaugural Bermuda Schools Sports Federation Track and Field Classic.

Saturday's event will be preceded by an opening ceremony (2 p.m.) featuring several local dignitaries and the meet will then afford Bermuda Track and Field Association officials a good opportunity to scout promising youngsters ahead of next year's CARIFTA Games which Bermuda will host for the first time in 20 years.

"We are hoping that the event will attract around 250 to 300 of the best track and field athletes in the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metres," said Bermuda Schools Sports Federation chairman Cal Simons yesterday.

Only the top eight athletes from the primary, middle and high schools will be eligible to compete in the 100, 200 and 400 metres while the 800 metres will be contested by the top 12 athletes from each of the Island's schools.

"The organising committee are extremely excited about the whole idea," added Simons. "We realise that we have All-Star football and All-Star netball and so we really wanted to do something this year that would take in kids from under nine in the primary schools up to the over 15s in the senior secondary schools."

Simons said he would like to see more interest in local track and field.

"The main focus is to really highlight our junior athletes," he said. "We see it as a way of possibly assisting the national association (BTFA) in identifying athletes for next year's CARIFTA Games. With CARIFTA coming up next year we think that it would be a prime opportunity for the national association to identify future athletes. And they will be providing officials and technical information."

All eligible athletes have been presented with personal invitations, name tags and passes.

Simons is hopeful the meet will become an annual event on the school sports calendar.

Admission for Saturday's junior meet is $5 with competition scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.