JISA Western Track Meet returns after five-year hiatus

WESTERN BUREAU:

Following a five-year hiatus, more than 25 schools have submitted entries to compete in the Jamaica Independent School Association (JISA) Western Track and Field Meet, which is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School.

“This meet will be our return, and we could not have done this without our sponsors, and I want to thank them,” said JISA president Tamara McKenzie. “We are inviting all parents, students, and stakeholders across Jamaica to attend, participate, and support our students as we celebrate the return of the JISA Western Meet, and together, let’s have a great day.”

Speaking at a press conference to kick off the event last Friday at the St James Municipal Corporation’s chambers, McKenzie said the JISA Western track meet started at the Montego Bay Sports Complex 12 years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organisers to postpone it until this year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from returning earlier,” she said. “Our event actually started in 2012 and we held our last Western Meet in 2019,” she said.

According to McKenzie, there will be about 630 competitors from 25 preparatory and high schools spread throughout nine parishes. These athletes will compete in three classes at the preparatory level while those at high-school level will compete in two categories, under-16 and under-19 over 55 events.

Boys in Class One will participate in four different events: 100m, 200m, 400m, and 4x100m relay. With the exception of running a 300m sprint, the Class One Girls’ events will be similar.

Boys and girls in Class Two will compete in the 60m, 100m, and 150m events as well as the 4x100m. Class Three boys and girls will face the starter in the 50m, 100m, and 4x100m. Athletes from prep schools will also participate in an open 4x200m.

Boys and girls in Class One will also compete in the long jump, open ball throw, and shot put open.

Special-needs athletes will compete over a 60m course.

“This year, we are doing it a little differently to ensure that we include all our students. The Western meet is of great significance because this event allows all schools regardless of where you are located to participate,” McKenzie noted.

She mentioned that there was more interest in having this meet in Montego Bay, particularly for schools that are unable to travel to Kingston for the three-day national JISA Prep School Championship that takes place next month.

“While not all schools can organise for a three-day meet, the JISA Western meeting in just one day makes it easy for all of our schools and students to come out and have fun,” McKenzie added.

The St James Municipal Corporation’s chairman and Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, has thrown his support behind the organisation of this year’s JISA West championship, joining a group of dedicated sponsors that include Sunshine Snack, Pure Water, Williams Elite Academy, Covenant Insurance Brokers, and Bird Shack

Vernon said social development is a prerequisite for economic development and that sports disciplines are critical to development.

“From the St James Municipal Corporation standpoint, we fully endorse this event. We believe that sports is a catalyst for development, in particular social development,” Vernon stated. “Enhancing sporting activities within the western space is welcome and important to how we move forward as a city and region.”