Western Relays cancellation a big blow – Stakeholders
Published:Thursday | January 28, 2021 | 12:26 AMKavarly Arnold/Gleaner Writer
The 2021 staging of the Milo Western Relays has been cancelled due to logistical challenges and the continued threat of the coronavirus disease, according to meet director, Ray Harvey.
This is the first time since its inception in 1978 that the meet will not be held.
Despite being in doubt for the last two stagings due to the poor condition of the synthetic track at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, the relay carnival found refuge at G.C. Foster College in St. Catherine.
However, Harvey, who admitted that organisers didn’t even get as far as submitting a proposal to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, told The Gleaner that the challenges of staging the meet in St Catherine, coupled with the dynamics presented by the pandemic, led to this year’s cancellation.
“The relocation of the meet from Montego Bay to G.C. Foster College is unbelievably difficult under normal circumstances, so in the time of COVID-19, where we would have to spend a week in St. Catherine, we don’t have that kind of time. If it was here in Montego Bay, we would do what was necessary to try and fulfil the protocols,” said Harvey.
“This decision is only because of health conditions. Over the years, we would have overcome everything else. We ran the meet when there was only the track, no light, no water, no stadium facility. We ran the meet even when we had to go to G.C. Foster College,” added Harvey, who noted that the availability of the track in Montego Bay will go a long way in determining whether or not the meet will return next year.
“If we have the track next year, COVID-19 or no COVID-19, we can do it. If the track is not fixed, then I don’t know. It will depend on what COVID will be like at that point,” Harvey said.
AFFECTING LOCAL ATHLETES
Machell Woolery, coach of Petersfield High School, describes the cancellation as a big blow to track and field locally.
“A lot of top clubs, as well as high schools, compete at the meet as a part of their preparation towards Champs or World Championship events. Not having the Milo Western Relays is a real dent in the track and field season. We only have two relay carnivals in Jamaica, in Milo and Gibson Relays, so not having one will be a challenge. And also it is a qualifying meet for Champs,” Woolery pointed out.
“This is a big blow, especially for me, as one of the schools that have been preparing for Champs and international events, whether it be CARIFTA or World Juniors. It will be a challenge to find quality meets to perform at nearby,” he added.
Roderick Myles, coach of Rusea’s High School, also vented his frustration after hearing the news, noting that not being able to have quality meets in the region will have a damaging impact on track and field programmes in the west.
“The region has done so much for the sport, and we have to suffer the most. COVID-19 is just highlighting the need for a (synthetic) track so we can have meets in the west. Every time we have to travel to Kingston, which we will have to do, it will cost $90,000 and not to mention staying over and other things,” Myles said.