Venue change for PUMA development meet

THE JAAA PUMA Fuller/Anderson Development meet, so named in honour of two outstanding sports administrators who started the meet, will be held at a new venue this season.

The meet, which will be held on Saturday, January 13, will be moved from its original venue, the Kirkvine Sports Club, to the G.C. Foster College.

Meet director Maurice Wilson said the event, used for qualifying marks for the annual ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, said there was not enough time to prepare Kirkvine,as well as other factors for the move.

“There is a decrease in the number of participants at the meet because of the need to meet the ISSA qualifying standards, and the rubberised track will, most times, produce faster times,” said Wilson.

“To get the venue prepared the correct way requires time and detailed preparation, and we are not able to get it done in a timely manner,” he said.

“We are hoping to return to the venue as grass tracks play a great role in the athlete’s development, and the manager of the facility, Clive Miller, has been very supportive over the years,” said Wilson.

Wilson said that there will also be the addition of the 60 metres for men and women and the long jump.

“The 60 metres is to aid those athletes who are preparing for the World Indoor Championships, which will begin on March 1 next year,” explained Wilson.

The expense of the meet has been something to note, and Wilson is thanking the administrators of track and field in Jamaica for helping to keep the PUMA meet going.

“The hosting of meets is becoming increasingly expensive, and we have to thank the JAAA through PUMA for assistance.”