Penn Relays needs renewed energy

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Penn Relays, one of the oldest and most prestigious track and field events in the United States, is held annually at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field. This event attracts thousands of athletes from high schools, colleges, clubs across the nation and the world.

Despite this, the competition has failed to deliver the excitement and quality it once did, and these events have been an economic disappointment for Jamaican high schools. Some reasons for this decline are lack of funding, less media attention, and a modest decline in talent. In recent years, the event has struggled to maintain its status as a major premier event in sport. These factors have contributed to losing the once-heralded prestige of Penn Relays.

Despite Penn Relays declining popularity, to the best of my knowledge, this event is still profitable, but UPenn has not shared its revenues with the schools it hosts. If it does through other means, the students who participate are not benefiting from such revenue sharing. The lack of revenue sharing has been a source of frustration and resentment for many participating institutions, especially those that face financial challenges and struggle to maintain their athletic programmes.

Jamaican schools are the dominant participants in the Penn Relays, and therefore, if Jamaican schools should withdraw from these events, the Penn Relays would lose its main attraction, a move that would make the event an economic failure. Further, Jamaica is represented by several US-based Jamaican companies that support the relays. Given the importance of Jamaican participation in the Penn Relays, the Ministry of Education, and Sports collectively, should use its influence and negotiate an equitable financial package for the participating schools. This is important because Jamaican high schools now bear the total cost (airfare, hotel, food, and transportation) to attend the games. High school students rely on alumni and other non-profit organisations to offset these costs. Over the years, support from organisations such as Team Jamaica Bickle has been critical.

The Jamaican Government and Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association should meet with the managing body of Penn Relays and seek the adoption of a more equitable and transparent distribution model that recognises the contributions and needs of the participating schools and takes steps to support the development of track and field at all levels. Jamaica has the cards, and we should use them. Jamaican schools do not have to go to Pennsylvania to compete against each other. Unless these issues are amicably resolved, the long-term future of Penn Relays will be in question.

ADRIAN LAWRENCE