We have to be careful about Champs - Top coaches discuss championships possibility amid COVID spike

Two of the island’s top junior coaches remain optimistic about the possibility of staging the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships this year, despite concerns about the effects of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases on a potential restart of the local track and field season.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange on Friday authorised the return of sporting events on a case-by-case basis, opening invitations for sporting associations to reapply for approval and leading to optimism that the premier high school track and field festival - popularly called ‘Champs’, would make a return after being cancelled last year due to the virus. However, Grange’s announcement comes in the midst of sharp increases in the number of positive COVID-19 cases. On Monday, Jamaica recorded 403 cases, a record high. The recent surge could affect the junior track and field season, with ISSA President Keith Wellington stating that the environment meets the criteria to change the dates for Champs.

UNCERTAIN CLIMATE

Corey Bennett, head coach at Hydel High School, says that despite Friday’s announcement, more restrictions will have to be put in place to facilitate a safe return for athletes. He also expressed uncertainty over some schools’ ability to compete in the current climate.

“We are grateful that some consideration was given to restart but it is just ironic that we are restarting when the situation is getting worse. We have to be more cautious in how we move forward, and I think even more stringent measures have to be put in place,” Bennett told The Gleaner. “Not because the Government says ‘yes’ means that you can go ahead for going ahead sake. I think schools and teams are going to have to make a decision as to (whether) they willing to jump in at this time.”

ISSA agreed to an initial date of March 23-27 for the staging of the championships, once all approvals have been granted, with a provision for May 4-8 in the event that a spike in cases affect the original dates.

Edwin Allen High School’s head coach, Michael Dyke, believes that pushing back Champs now seems inevitable given the current situation.

“May is definitely the likely month right now (for the staging of Champs) because I can’t see any Champs happening before that. It has to be May or after. We have to keep our fingers crossed,” Dyke said. “Based on the rise in cases, we are still unsure if things will really kick off (for the return of meets). Athletes are anxious and raring to go, but at the same time, we have to be careful as it relates to safety, because you don’t want to lose anyone, or cause anybody to contract the virus.”

Bennett concurs that the May date is the most viable option given the circumstances.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association has outlined various measures for meet directors to implement ahead of plans to restart competitions.

However, Bennett cautions that its application, especially in the early stages of the restart, will take some fine-tuning.

“I think our best bet will be the alternative date for safety reasons. I expect that the first week or two (when meets begin) is going to be a feeling-out process. We are going to have a lot of mistakes being made and you won’t get some semblance of order until about the beginning of March. (Therefore] that end of March date (for Champs) is going to be a little too sudden,” Bennett said.

Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, yesterday announced new measures to combat the COVID-19 spike, including a reduction in the gathering limit from 15 to 10 persons and new curfew hours of 8np.m. to 5 a.m. daily until February 24, 2021.