James to be honoured at renamed JC meet

OUTSTANDING horizontal and vertical coach at Jamaica College Ruel James will be the honouree at this year's 24th staging of the Purewater/JC track and field development meet, which takes place on Saturday on the school's grounds at 189 Od Hope Road, starting at 8:30 a.m..

James, who was an athlete in his time at what is also his alma mater, has contributed significantly to the development of track and field at Jamaica College.

Additionally, the Jamaica College Sports Development Committee will also be paying homage to Dr R. Danny Williams for his pivotal role in the transformation of the institution as a former chairman of the board and foundation.

As a result, the meet will now be known as Purewater/JC Danny Williams Track and Field Development Meet.

The competition, as usual, will serve as an opportunity for early qualification to the Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, which will have its 107th staging this year.

Beside high schools, invitations have also been extended to athletes from clubs and institutions to compete in open events. For high-school athletes, the first competitive category will be for schools of all types with participation in classes I to III for boys, and classes I to IV for girls.

Events down to be contested will be 100m, 800m, 3000m (female) and 5000m (male). There will also be the 70m, 80m, 100m, and 110m hurdles events, as well as long jump, discus, high jump, shot put, and pole vault action in the field.

Athletes will again be offered several prizes and incentives for outstanding performances at the meet. Ten individual trophies will be awarded to the athletes selected by the judges in each class and category. These will be presented to the most outstanding performers. It is to be noted that the quality of performance by an athlete will not necessarily be judged in terms of points scored.