$5m for Champs security

Organisers of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Grace-Kennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, have spared no cost as far as safety issues are concerned, with well over $5 million set aside for security expenses.

According to ISSA chairman Dr Walton Small, this represents an increase on the amount spent last year, as the organisers continue to improve on these arrangements in pursuit of a safer experience for all stakeholders.

"We have increased the budget for security. Last year it was under $5 million and this year we are looking at much more than that amount for security alone," said Dr. Small, who also advised that just under $50 million will be spent to stage the March 30-April 2 meet.

"The overall budget is just under $50 million and thanks to the sponsors we are able to cover a significant portion of that; and we are hoping that the rest will come from gate receipts," explained Dr Small. "The stadium rental is running approximately $6 million, that is also a major expenditure. Support for volunteers in terms of food and hospitality will account for $4 million and there are some other big items on the budget.

"Why are we increasing the cost on security? We are simply not satisfied that everything is perfect and we won't stop until everything gets to a point of perfection as far as the general safety of the patrons, athletes and officials is concerned," Dr Small added.

ISSA, in addition to working with the police, has also contracted the services of three private security companies which have beefed up their numbers in an effort to discourage disorderly behaviour by overly exuberant patrons.

Ensuring safety

"The numbers have increased because we believe that sometimes the show of force; and I use the word force for want of a better term, but we believe the numbers can be a deterrent to individuals who want to disrupt order," Dr Small reasoned. "We have partnered with the police and three private security firms to ensure that individuals are safe at the stadium."

However, the ISSA boss is also hoping to stretch the security net beyond the walls of the National Stadium and to its immediate surroundings.

"We have also asked the police not only to be vigilant at the stadium, but also in the surrounding areas ... at the bus stops and so on because we want patrons to feel safe long before they get to the actual venue," said Dr Small. "We have increased the manpower compared to last year and we had large numbers last year because we won't stop working on security until we get it perfect."

- Andre Lowe