All set for prep champs

Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) has gone the extra mile to ensure that all times recorded at this year's Bigga Inter-Prep Track and Field Championships meet world standards.

A wind gauge, which makes all times official, will be used for the first time, backed by the already introduced electronic timing system and photo finish system, the first at this level.

Hydel, the defending champions, have entered the biggest contingent of 68 athletes for the three-day championships, which will be staged June 4-6 at the National Stadium.

Athletes will compete in four classes: Class Three (age 7-8); Class Two (9-10); Class One (11-12) and Open (13 and older). Athletes, however, will only be allowed to compete in a maximum of four events, but only two can be individual track events.

There will be the usual heats, semi-finals and finals.

Enough recovery time

Asked if four events would not be too much for one athlete, Bruce James, the meet director, said they have strategically placed the events to facilitate enough recovery time.

Meanwhile, Joffia Johnson-Bell, marketing executive for beverages at Wisynco Group Limited, expressed satisfaction "that our Jamaican product is being used to sponsor a very Jamaican activity - the Bigga/JISA Inter-Prep School Track and Field Championships."

In saying that, she made one request of the athletes.

"Enjoy the championship while giving of your best to your school, your families, to the many spectators who will be screaming out their throats for you , of course, to your coaches - make them proud. If you can do this, Bigga, the title sponsor, will be proud of you," she said.

Ludlow Watts, treasurer of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, also reminded the athletes that Jamaica has an outstanding tradition in track and field and his association recognised the value of meets like the prep school championships.