JAAA president backs Champs crop for 2028 Olympics
Published:Sunday | April 2, 2023 | 10:28 AMOrane Buchanan - Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), Garth Gayle, has hailed the performances of Jamaica’s junior athletes at the just-concluded ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium, as he believes it not only filled us with excitement but builds up our expectations of our prospects in the future.
“Well it was a very exciting championships and the avenue that we’ve provided for our junior athletes. We witnessed some fantastic times from our boys and girls and it augurs well for Jamaica and our expectations in the future. So, kudos to the ISSA, Secondary Sports Association for the development in the sport of track and field in Jamaica,” he stated.
Gayle believes, with the 2023 staging of the Championships being the first without restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic, this amplified the excitement within the stadium from the spectators.
“The fans not only enjoyed camaraderie amongst themselves but also the entire atmosphere, and it showed that the general public is appreciative of the performances and it puts Jamaica in an excellent position. This is like the cradle that divides the juniors into becoming World and Olympic champions,” he added.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
According to the experienced administrator, in a championship filled with outstanding performances, Kingston College’s captain Bouwahjgie Nkrumie’s staggering 9.99 seconds in the boys’ Class One final was the high point, though special mention had to be made about Hydel’s Alana Reid, who demolished Veronica Campbell-Brown’s 22-year-old record to clock 10.92 seconds in the girls’ Class One equivalent.
“It has to be the 9.99, and also by far. But Hydel’s Alana Reid also did exceptionally well with that 10.92 clocking. We are sending a cracking and excellent team to Bahamas for the 60th staging of the Carifta Games,” said Gayle.
Gayle believes the crop of athletes on show throughout the championships will dominate at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“We are in a good position and so we just have to continue with our coaches working with our juniors. We are technically sound here in Jamaica and we can match any coach anywhere in the world. So, I know that, with the performances that we are seeing, this is where it all starts, and I’m very sure that this is the crop for the 2028 Olympic Games.”