A view of the field and running track at the National Stadium in St Andrew on Friday, January 24, 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
CHAMPS ON TRACK?
ISSA mulls running surface repair in final decision on start of high schools’ athletics showpiece
While admitting the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) is committed to holding the boys’ and girls’ athletics championships (Champs) on its original March 25 start date at the National Stadium, President Keith Wellington says a decision about a potential postponement may need to be made over the weekend.
Last week, Sports Minister Olivia Grange confirmed with the Jamaica Observer that the track at the National Stadium would be resurfaced after signing a $55.1-million contract with track manufacturers Rekortan.
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However, after announcing work would begin immediately after last Saturday’s Gibson McCook Relays, the Observer has learnt that the work is now set to begin on Thursday, as some of the materials needed as well as labour force were not in place for Monday’s initial start date.
There have already been concerns that the work will not be completed in time for Champs, which is just under four weeks away.
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Wellington, though, says his team isn’t in panic mode yet. They’re monitoring the situation closely.
“I wouldn’t use the word concerned, I would think it’s more wary. I wouldn’t elevate it to concern just yet,” he told this newspaper.
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“We have been made aware of what the plans are and the timeline for those plans to be executed. We figure that based on everybody’s knowledge of the extensive nature of the planning for Champs and all that goes into the execution, nobody would want to put Champs at risk, so what we’re thinking is let’s see how the process goes, especially at the outset.”
The Observer has learnt that Rekortan was selected to upgrade the new track following a recommendation from the Grand Slam Track team, led by Michael Johnson, ahead of its April 4-6 staging.
Although Champs takes place a week before the inaugural event, Wellington says ISSA wasn’t consulted by the Sports Ministry or Independence Park Limited regarding the decision to commence work before Champs.
“Consulted? No. We would have gotten information that this is what’s likely to happen, but in terms of consultation to say, ‘What do you think? Is it something you’re comfortable with?’ No,” he said.
Wellington says ISSA will meet after this weekend to potentially postpone Champs if things aren’t looking favourable.
“From what has been shared with us in terms of the plans to execute the work, I would say certainly after this weekend, based on what we’re aware of, the work is expected to intensify sometime over the weekend. If we do not see that work progressing as per the schedule we have been given, then we’d be concerned,” he said.
However, he says they’re remaining steadfast in carrying out Jamaica’s premier high school athletics event on its intended start date.
“Right now we are putting all plans in place for Champs to be at the stadium March 25 to 29. That’s the only option we’ve been focused on and remain focused on. After this weekend we’ll review the position and see where we are,” said Wellington.
Champs has traditionally been held at the end of March or start of April. However, it was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was moved to May for the 2021 edition, also due to the pandemic.
WELLINGTON…if we do not see that work progressing as per the schedule we have been given, then we’d be concerned
