Col Francis reiterates value of invitational meets
PIONEER principal of Vere Technical High School Colonel Ben Francis, in whose honour the Ben Francis Invitational track and field meet is named, said he is pleased with the role it’s playing in developing young talent in Jamaica.
“Not only do these meets serve as a measure of fitness and readiness, but these meets are useful in that they set the stage for a meet, greet and compete scenario among the schools,” he said, speaking at the launch of the meet’s fourth staging at the Spanish Court Hotel yesterday.
Colonel Francis added that development meets provide students with the opportunity to share ideas and experiences while enjoying healthy competition.
“It is my wish that these development meets continue to grow from strength to strength and will serve the useful purpose of cementing our efforts in track and field in Jamaica,” he said.
Angella Grandison-Reid, promotions manager of title sponsors Grace Foods, said her company was fortunate to be a part of the meet.
“We at Grace Foods are really privileged to be the headline sponsors of this wonderful development meet since its inception.
“We have been with developmental meets for as long as one can remember, and just last week we were at three more athletics launches, so we are in it to win it, we are in it for the long haul as we continue our commitment to nation building because we believe sports and education go hand in hand,” she said.
Assistant marketing and communications manager of the Jamaica Observer, Pamille Shaw-Blair, said the newspaper was particularly proud of its role as the official print partner since the meet’s inception.
“The Jamaica Observer, throughout the years, has provided and continues to provide exceptional coverage of local athletes. This year, we have renewed our focus and increased involvement in more youth-related projects for which the Ben Francis Invitational is among the first,” she said.
The fourth staging of the Vere Technical Ben Francis Invitational meet will take place on February 15, on the school’s ground, and will serve as the penultimate development meet that will serve as a qualifier for Boys’ and Girls’ Championships.
Athletes will take part in the 70m hurdles Class Four (Girls), 100m hurdles Class Three (Boys), 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 4X100m relays, 4X400m relays, 800m, 2,000m steeplechase, 3,000m (Girls), 5,000m (Boys), long jump, high jump, shot put and discus.
This year the meet will honour one of the school’s many Olympians and past student, Aleen Bailey.