Nationwide Sports has been reliably informed that track and field’s local governing body the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, JAAA, could be asked to find new dates for the National Junior and Senior Championships for 2025.
At the moment the championships are scheduled for June 26-29 at the National Stadium.
However, Nationwide Sports was made to understand that the dates for the Jamaica Championships came up for discussion at a three day meeting of Diamond League organisers in Italy last week.
We were told there are concerns that at least three Diamond League meets could suffer from weakened line-ups as a result of athletes heading to Kingston to chase spots on Jamaica’s team to the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.
In addition, the national championships clash with the final leg of Grand Slam Track June 27 to 29 in Los Angeles.
Eleven Jamaicans, including Roshawn Clarke, Rushell Clayton, Ackera Nugent, Oblique Seville, Danielle Williams, Nickisha Pryce and Hansle Parchment have all signed up to compete at Grand Slam Track.
It’s understood that World Athletics have taken interest in the matter as they were present at the meeting of Diamond League bosses.
Two windows have been suggested and set aside for national associations to stage their National Championships: July 31 to August 3 and August 22 to 24.
Athletes who have signed up for Grand Slam Track are said to be in danger of losing bonuses and a percentage of their base contract, if they fail to appear at the stops they’ve signed on to.
Nationwide Sports tried, without success, to contact at least two members of the JAAA’s executive for comments.
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