IPL ‘Willing and able’ to host Champs - Brown weighs readiness of National Stadium ahead of key decisions
Published:Thursday | October 15, 2020 | 12:07 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
If the 2021 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships is given clearance to take place, General Manager of Independence Park Limited (IPL), Major Desmon Brown, is confident that the event could be safely executed at the National Stadium.
This year’s edition was cancelled in March after the first confirmed coronavirus case in Jamaica. ISSA, which also cancelled all high school competitions for the Christmas term as the virus spread across the island, is currently holding initial discussions with its stakeholders on whether the event can take place next year.
A letter was issued to coaches in late September by Champs committee chairman Richard Thompson, encouraging submissions of potential changes in the framework of the event.
Brown says that IPL, which manages the National Stadium complex, is ready to enforce any protocols necessary at the venue to safeguard participants once approval is granted by health officials.
“We are willing and hope that we can (host Champs). However, it’s (down to) the Ministry of Health and Wellness to give permission for the event to go ahead and under what conditions,” Brown told The Gleaner. “We will do whatever is necessary, what is within our power to make it happen, but it will be the prevailing circumstances and the guidelines that will determine what will happen.”
Suggestions have already been made by some coaches as to what Champs could look like next year - from limited spectators to no fans in attendance. Other suggestions include splitting the championships as well as extending the schedule.
Relating to how the stadium could be sterilised and safeguarded for participants and potential fans, Brown said that they have the necessary sanitisation equipment and would also enforce approved social-distancing guidelines.
The restart of the local track and field season featured the staging of the Velocity Fest track meets at the National Stadium in August. However, Brown acknowledged that managing an event the size of Champs in the current environment would be a far more difficult undertaking.
“It would be almost impossible to take much of what we learnt from those few events recently,” he said. “Champs is by far the biggest single event that we host.”
Meanwhile, ISSA president Keith Wellington confirmed that the coaches had been contacted for their input, however, he said that he would not give any details as to potential plans until the end of the month.
“We are doing our internal consultations. When we have the feedback, then we can start putting together something, and we will start the discussion publicly. But for right now, that won’t be before the end of October,” Wellington said.
Since August, Jamaica has experienced a spike in total positive Coronavirus cases and fatalities. Currently, almost 8,000 persons have been infected, resulting in over 150 deaths. Given the current situation, Brown hopes that the situation will improve and increase the chances of the event being held.
“We just have to see what happens between now and, say, January, February to see what decision is taken going forward,” Brown said. “Let’s hope that by then, things would have significantly improved to the point that they can make a decision.”