JAI partners with private, public sector for ticket distribution

With the Jamaica Athletics Invitational (JAI) just weeks away, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has been meeting with several public- and private-sector officials to coordinate ticket distribution to ensure that the track meet is held in front of a packed venue.

The JAI meet is set for May 11 at the National Stadium, with the organising body having announced that bleachers tickets would be given to the public free of cost.

Grandstand tickets are divided into two categories, running at a cost of $3,000 and $2,500.

LOC Chairman Ludlow Watts said the ticket prices are an incentive to attract a large crowd for the upcoming track meet and to ensure an unforgettable event.

“The tickets for the grandstand are already moderately priced, and with the bleachers free, we want to offer a well-planned package for the patrons,” Watts said.

Carole Beckford, a member of the LOC, said the recent meetings with the public- and private-sector officials have been to help facilitate the distribution of tickets to interested parties.

Beckford said the LOC is targeting schools and members of sporting communities that are guaranteed to be in attendance come May 11.

“The team on a whole decided that we wanted make the meet affordable, so we made the bleachers free. But with free tickets, it is just as hard to give away as with paid tickets, so we decided to engage a group of people that we think would support the event.

“Of course, we’re giving tickets to people from what we call strong sporting communities through ISSA. So we’re doing schools and communities,” she added.

Of these officials, the LOC has engaged with Andrew Swaby, mayor of Kingston, along with Minister of Education Fayval Williams, and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chung.

The LOC will continue to engage individuals leading up to the event, which includes Minister of Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton.

Beckford also said that bleachers tickets would be available at the ticket office as of May 8, with a limit of five tickets per person.

“The ticket office will open from May 8, so persons can pick up tickets there. There is an allocation of five tickets per person, so no one can get more than five tickets each. Of course, if you’ve been to the Stadium before, you know people will try to sell tickets at the gate, so we want persons to know that bleachers tickets are free.”

The JAI is set to be a showcase of world-class talent from across the globe, with several high-profile athletes having already confirmed their participation. The marquee meet will feature 10 events on the track and four field events.

-Gregory Bryce