Stars of track and field

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

With Jamaica responsible for producing the top performers in track and field not just only recently with the exploits of Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt, but from in the early glory days of Herb McKenley; living legend Donald Quarrie; the indomitable Merlene Ottey, and countless others to include Grace Jackson and Deon Hemmings, Jamaica, has been "starring" in the international arena from the very get-go. The question that has nagged many for decades is why, with its roster of star athletes, Jamaica has not sought to assert itself on the international athletics roster by hosting and promoting its own internationally, recognised, accredited and celebrated game?

Well, eight years ago, recognising that there was a void in need of being addressed in this regard, private-sector giant Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) stepped in and sought to right this glaring anomaly and voila, the Jamaica International Invitational was born!

Dears, it was only fitting that the birthplace of many of the world's leading track stars be positioned to showcase them in a home-grown environment and affording the opportunity to display their talent, in a competitive arena, that pitted them against their international colleagues and with the additional adrenaline rush provided by home-grown support!

Well, since its inaugural staging, the Jamaica International Invitational has easily transitioned into one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events on the international track and field calendar by both aficionados and the stars of track and field themselves! And little wonder here, as Jamaica is still one of the world's preferred destinations; the opportunity afforded by the event makes the visitor enjoy some downtime as well as track and field at the same time.

And so my darlings, with Jamaica's bona fides and athletic prowess being firmly established globally and Kingston being the undoubted cultural and entertainment capital of the Caribbean, the event represents an athletic coup and tourism bonanza of the most fabulous order!

And so it was, to celebrate the sporting bonanza, on the eve of this year's Jamaica International Invitational, title sponsor, JNBS, in conjunction with the minister of youth, sports and culture, hosted a welcome reception at the Wyndham Kingston hotel that was quite a charmingly grand outing and nothing but!

My darlings, the event could have been easily dubbed: 'A Taste Of The Best Of Jamaica', as it was the very best of the island that was on display and nothing but - in food, drink, hospitality, and Jamaican charm. It made for a simply marvellous, warm and very engaging reception!

Dears, this one was dripping with fabness and like no other, as the Wyndham staff turned it out like the consummate pros they are, with libations flowing like the Rio Cobre in mid-September; and the fare proving nothing short of a culinary symphony!

Yes, it was fab like that in a laid-back and faultlessly relaxed manner that melded into a spirit of familial togetherness that will long be commented on!

So much so, that long after the official reception concluded, a number of high-profile guests remained in the hotel's Independence Ballroom in warm and animated discussion, way into the night, sharing stories from track and field meets around the globe while offering their insights into their expectations of the impending meet and dears, it made for a beautiful curtain call!

Among those out were Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, 'Babsy' Grange; attorney Delano Franklyn; Jamaica National General Manager Earl Jarrett; its marketing dynamo, Leon Mitchell; the JAAA's Howard Aris; the visiting president of the United Arab Emirates Athletics Federation, Ahmed Al Kamali, in from Dubai; along with its international relations director, the absolutely stunning Liesa A. Euton, also in from Dubai and lighting up the reception with her fab and bubbly personality; the legendary Donald Quarrie; the sensational Jamaican international track star Veronica Campbell-Brown; American International track star Carmelita Jeter; IAAF international announcer Carla Henry and David Mais.

The the very charming Enid Harrow; Bunny Pommels; Virginia Turner; the affable international T & F consultant Robert Stephenson; the lovely Toni Dillworth; Granville Newell; the fab Saffrey Brown; Jason Hall; Eric Ramsey and companion, the esteemed Pamela Watson, in from Florida; athlete manager and media commentator Bruce James; athlete manager Claude Bryan; the fabulous Allison McDowell-Hayles, in from New York for the event; Adrian Laidlaw; Everton Hannan; Garth Gayle; the lovely Grace Menzies; Oliver Watt; Michael Williams; and Elaine Livingston-Bell, in from Ontario, Canada, plus many others.