Mon | Nov 25, 2024

JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Champs back after two-year hiatus

Published:Friday | June 10, 2022 | 12:14 AM
Geordaine Blackwood (second left) under 15 sprinter from Crescent Primary School in St Catherine shares a moment with J’Voughnn Blake, captain, Jamaica College track team and guest speaker at the launch of this year’s JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Cha
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Geordaine Blackwood (second left) under 15 sprinter from Crescent Primary School in St Catherine shares a moment with J’Voughnn Blake, captain, Jamaica College track team and guest speaker at the launch of this year’s JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships on May 31 at the Jamaica Teachers Association’s (JTA) Corporate Office in Kingston. Looking on are Kayon Walker-Heslop (left), Manager - Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Division, Sagicor Life Jamaica and Winston Smith, President of the JTA.

The National Stadium will be buzzing with excitement today and tomorrow as the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) /Sagicor National Athletics Championships makes a comeback after a two-year pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The track and field meet will feature some of Jamaica’s best athletes at the primary level, competing for the coveted Parish Championship title. Title sponsor Sagicor Foundation has committed to a sponsorship of $10 million towards the championship’s execution this year. In addition, the overall Champion Boy and Champion Girl from the meet will also receive five-year secondary scholarships valued at $50,000 annually.

Kayon Walker-Heslop, manager, Employee Benefits Division, Sagicor Life, praised the Championship for being the launch pad for several Jamaican track and field stars, during her delivery of the sponsor’s message at the May 31 launch of this year’s event.

“Our primary-school teachers and coaches have remained vigilant over the years and have been able to spot and nurture talent in our children in their early years, and they have been instrumental in solidifying this Championship as the birthplace of sporting royalty. Over the last 36 years, we have stood with the JTA as proud partners as we gave countless athletes – many of whom are now world champions – their first taste of competing outside of their school Sports Day,” shared Walker-Heslop.

Winston Smith, JTA president, also expressed his delight for the return of the meet.

The last staging of the Championships in 2019 saw St Andrew retaining the Parish Champion title for the second consecutive year, after amassing 332.5 points. In second place was St Elizabeth on 232 points, while Portland placed third with 213 points.