Increased sponsorship for Bigga/JISA Prep Champs

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The fourth staging of the Bigga/Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Inter-Prep Track and Field Championships is the beneficiary of increased sponsorship, as Domino's Pizza has teamed up with Bigga to inject $400,000, which brings the sponsorship from the Wisynco group to $1.25 million.

This is the 33rd staging of the JISA Inter-Prep Track and Field Championships, which began in 1977 with a mere 11 schools. This year will, however, see three new schools - Valley Christian Ministries Prep, Little Angels Child Development Centre Prep and Sacred Heart Academy - bringing the number of participants to 52, the highest number since its inception.

The meet, which will take place from June 3-5 at the National Stadium, is slated to commence at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, and finishing before six o'clock each day.

Four classes

The over 2,000 athletes will be separated into four classes and will compete in a total of 34 events, including the long and high jumps.

According to meet director Bruce James, all the IAAF rules will be implemented, with the exception of one.

"We are really just looking to make it more and more professional each year. The only IAAF rule that we will not be implementing this year is the false-start rule, because we feel at this stage the participation of the athletes is more important than enforcing that specific rule," he pointed out, while speaking at the launch of the championship at Sts Peter and Paul Prep yesterday.

James added: "Outside of that, we will be using all the IAAF standards."

Joffia Johnson-Bell, marketing executive for beverages, Wisynco Jamaica Limited, lauded the success of the meet and stated that it was instrumental in her company's continued involvement.

"We came on board seeing the need that was out there and we have continued because of the success of the meet and the fact that the organisers are doing such a wonderful job in improving the meet," said Johnson-Bell.

Meanwhile, Wayne Robinson, JISA sports committee chairman, sought to assure parents that steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the athletes, especially given the current state of affairs in the capital city.

"We are aware and very cognisant of the environment now, and even without this environment we have been very conscious about the safety of our athletes," said Robinson.

"We have employed a security company and we have also enlisted the support of the police to ensure that the stadium, at the Stadium East and in the environs of the stadium, are properly secured," he added.