The 2016 series of local development meets kicks off today with the staging of two development meets on the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) calendar.In the Corporate Area, Jamaica College will host the 23rd staging of the Purewater/JC Invitational meet on the school’s grounds, Old Hope Road starting at 8:30 a.m.Out west at the Herbert Morrison High School First Chance meet gets under way at 9 a.m.Most attention will focus on a well supported JC meet. The is a qualifier for the ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships and athletes will be taking the opportunity to meet qualifying standards early. Meet director, Ian Forbes is very pleased with the support and is anticipating great competition.”More than 1500 athletes have entered and we expect high quality performances as this is an Olympic and World Junior Championships year,” Forbes said.He said entries have come in from all the top high school male and female teams. There will also be events for senior athletes from clubs and institutions.Several high schools have recruited new athletes during last summer and fans will get a chance to see who some of these athletes in action.Among the females are Janelle Fullerton and Rushelle Burton. Fullerton, who did well in the throws for Edwin Allen High last year, has moved to sixth form at St Jago High, while sprint hurdler Burton, formerly of St. Andrew High, has joined up with her former coach, Leacroft Bolt at Camperdown High School.SETTODETHRONECHAMPSJamaica College’s team will be closely watched as there are early whispers that they could be the team to dethrone defending champions Calabar at Champs this year. They have great depth in the field events with outstanding jumpers Obrien Wasome, Clayton Brown and Paketo Dudley among the likely leading performers.Top thrower, Vashon McCarthy, is also now eligible to represent the school after sitting out a full year after exiting Ascot High last year.Action will begin with the 3000m for girls. This will be followed by the boys’ 5000m. Other track events are the 100m, 800m and all sprint hurdles. In the field the events down to be contested are the long, high, and triple jumps along with the discus, shot put and pole vault.
Spotlight on Purewater/JC meet as 2016 track season begins
Harbour View looking to seal fourth spot
Today’s games: “I am pleasantly surprised at their frame of mind based on the fact that we lost three points in the boardroom. They are in a positive frame of mind and declared that they will go out and do what they have to do. Based on that mood, we are pretty optimistic that we will come away with a positive result,” Reynolds added. Humble Lion’s chances will be boosted by the return to fitness of the talismanic Wolry Wolfe, along with Ricardo Cousins, Andrew Vanzie and Kemeel Wolfe. Levaughn Williams has been scoring for them, especially since the enforced absence of Francois Swaby, and he will again be expected to shoulder the goalscoring burden with Swaby still out. Reno are just four points above the relegation zone and with five matches to go, that does not spell safety and they cannot afford to finish pointless against Portmore United. The veteran Bradley Stewart has lit a fire in the hearts of the Rivoli United players and they must be confident that they can get the better of Waterhouse even though they are playing away from home. Tivoli Gardens are a rejuvenated bunch under Glendon “Admiral” Bailey and are expected to make things difficult for UWI FC, and even with the free scoring Girvon Brown, they could find the going rough. Positive frame Former champions Harbour View will head into today’s game with the coveted possession of the fourth spot, which guarantees a place in the semi-final round of the Red Stripe Premier League if they can hold on to that at the end of the five remaining sets of games. The Stars of the East owe their position to the opportunism of Nicholas Beckett, whose late double saw off a determined Waterhouse last week. Today, they host the unfortunate Humble Lion, who held the fourth place until a boardroom decision saw them lose it and set the cat among the pigeons. In contention for that place are Humble Lion and the promoted UWI FC, who play away to the tough and hungry Tivoli Gardens. Pole position is what Harbour View currently enjoy and, according to coach Ludlow Bernard, they will do all to hang on to it. “I consider this game just as important as the others that follow, and we will treat all of them as if they are going to be our last game. The approach will be a very aggressive one,” a confident Bernard told The Sunday Gleaner. With the exception of Brian Brown, Harbour View have found reliable goalscorers hard to identify, but Bernard appears unconcerned about that. “Goalscoring has been an issue, yes, and we are hoping that others will share that burden. Beckett came up big in the last game and he will be playing in a more advanced role. “We will be creating chances for sure, but you have to consider that we will be playing against a team that is very mean and do not give up a lot of opportunities. That will make our chances more difficult, but we are confident that we have the personnel that will be incisive enough to create and convert chances,” Bernard said. For Humble Lion’s Vassell Reynolds, this game is a massive one for his team, but he is confident that his players are up for the challenge. “This is big, big, big, owing to the fact that we are three points off a semi-final spot. At this stage of the competition, three points are as precious as gold,” Reynolds said. • 3:30 p.m: Reno vs Portmore United – Frome Complex – 6:30 p.m: Harbour View vs Humble Lion – Harbour View Stadium – 3:30 p.m: Tivoli Gardens vs UWI FC – Edward Seaga Complex – 6 p.m: Waterhouse vs Rivoli United – Drewsland Stadium Tomorrow’s game: – 8:40 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Boys Town – Anthony Spaulding Complex
JNBS Foundation marks successful 5K Run/Walk in Falmouth
The organisers of the inaugural Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation Heroes In Action 5K Run/Walk were pleased with Saturday’s event, which was held in the historic tourist town of Falmouth, Trelawny, with close to eight hundred people taking part.Ryon Chambers won the male run category in a time of 17 minutes and 58 seconds. Second place was taken by Lenford Adams, 18:15, while Ronique Williams copped third in 18:19.On the women’s side, first place went to Karlene Blagrove of Pacers Running Club in an easy-looking 22:07 minutes. She was trailed across the finish line by Jozanne Harris (Jamdammers) in 22:57 minutes. Jordan Waldschmidt ended in third, running 25:04 minutes.What made the event more special was the fact that multiple Olympic and World Champion and world record holder over the 100m and 200m Usain Bolt was on hand to send the participants on their way.Bolt, through his foundation, were key endorsers of the event that seeks to provide funding to the tune of $8m for the construction of a building that will house a classroom, a library and a sewing room at the Granville Place of Safety for Girls in Trelawny.Celebrity participantsAlso taking part were Bolt’s parents, Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt; the town’s mayor, Garth Wilkinson; and several other well-known personalities, including members of the Trelawny FA, Linnel McLean (president), Ronald McLean (no relation) and Ms Hernie Brown, among others.Paula Sinclair won the overall female 5K walk title ahead of Kimberly Clarke, with Brynn Broadie finishing in third place. On the men’s side, victory went to AndrÈ Smith of Go Run Running Club. The Jamaica National pair of Vivian Lawes and Jason Henry were second and third, respectively.Munro College won the Team Championship (5K race) ahead of Grange Hill High (second) and Bolt’s alma mater, William Knibb High, in third.Munro’s team of Rushane Fullerton, Leon Whyte, Daviere Witter, Marville Yee, and Michael Goss crossed the line first in a combined time of 1:34:26, with Grange Hill (1:45:36) next best. William Knibb had a time of 1:46:1.Port Authority took the Team Championship 5K Walk, with Good Hope in second and the Child Development Agency back in third.Saffry Brown, general manager, JN Foundation, described the occasion as a special one.”It is an awesome occasion. It actually has a special meaning to the Granville School of Safety for Girls and the wider community,” said Brown.”That we are able to hold this event in Falmouth, a very historic town, and with Usain Bolt on board through his foundation, it gives a real sense of pride and purpose to the event,” she added.The event was held as part of the JN Foundation’s 141st anniversary celebrations.
Taylor added to Sportswoman of the Year list
West Indies Women’s cricket captain, Stafanie Taylor, has been added to the list of Sportswoman of the Year nominees, the RJR Sports Foundation announced in a release yesterday.The 2015 awards takes place on Friday, January 15 at The Jamaica Pegasus and Taylor joins eight other women vying for the National Sportswoman of the Year award. The other nominees are boxer Alicia Ashley; swimmer Alia Atkinson and track athletes Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Sherone Simpson, Elaine Thompson and Danielle Williams.Taylor topped the tables in a recent ODI home series against Pakistan with a batting average of 130.50 runs and was the most economical West Indies bowler while taking four wickets. West Indies won both the T20 and ODI series. She was also recently named the International Cricket Council’s Women’s T20 Cricketer of the Year.The Jamaican all-rounder recently became the only overseas player selected for the Sydney Thunder Women in the inaugural Australian Women’s Big Bash T20 League.
Agakhan a firm banker
With 12 races slated for tomorrow at Caymanas Park, much attention will be focused on the late Super-6, which offers a $3.8 million carryover from Wednesday.This, the twilight six as it is otherwise called, will be conducted from Race Seven to 12, while the first Super-6 will embrace the first six races on the card.We look at the late Super-6 commencing in Race Seven over 1100 metres for high claimers, the field including the recent winners RIO COBRE; UNBREAKABLE, who bids for his fourth consecutive win; and FORCE DE JOUR, who, despite his disappointing run behind ACTION MAN as the favourite over 1400 metres on February 27, can definitely rebound now dropped in class with only 52.0kg.However, with RIO COBRE having resumed winning ways over the straight in overnight company on February 24, the American-bred eight-year-old gelding from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta is tipped to repeat with four-time champion Omar Walker again in the saddle. RIO COBRE beat EDISON over the straight recently, and with the runner-up having paid tribute to the form by winning in overnight company last Saturday, speaks volumes for his chances.HELLO LADY, with champion jockey Shane Ellis riding for in-form trainer Anthony ‘Baba’ Nunes, showed promise when finishing second to NOLAN HILL in a fast-run straight five race (57.2) on February 20, and now better for the experience, the Fearless Vision offspring should lead home GOLDEN GLORY and LIKE A LADY in a field of 11 maiden three-year-olds.NINTHRACEThe ninth race, confined to $180,000 claimers for the Roderick ‘Pilot’ Francis Memorial Trophy, looks tailored for down-in-class EL CLIENTE, a January 30 course winner at this level. The six-year-old gelding from the stables of Anthony Smith wasn’t disgraced when finishing five lengths seventh to REGGAE GOLD over the distance on February 27 on a $250,000 tag, and now back to $180,000 claiming, should lead home another recent winner, SPORTING CLAY, with Dane Nelson aboard. Top apprentice Linton Steadman has the ride in a 10-horse field.The 10th race over the straight for maiden three-year-olds has attracted five first-time runners in a field of 16, including the Bridled Quest filly DANCEHALL SWEET (working well), with Nelson riding for trainer Gary Subratie. Having looked advanced in her preparation, DANCEHALL SWEET gets the nod over ZANDRINA and BIG MISTAKE from the DaCosta stables.Horse of the Year SEEKING MY DREAM, to be ridden by Omar Walker for DaCosta and Member of Parliament Derrick Smith, beat the best horses in the country in last December’s $6.5 million Diamond Mile, and having followed up over 1500 metres recently, should lead home the 2015 Superstakes winner FRANFIELD (Nelson up) in the Chairman’s Trophy grade one feature over 1500 metres to be contested by six starters.Then, take the course specialist AGAKHAN, with Robert Halledeen up, to win the closing race over the straight (claiming $350,000 – $300,000) at the expense of FRANKENSTORM.SECOND SUPER-6 FANCIES(7) RIO COBRE/FORCE DE JOUR(8) HELLO LADY/GOLDEN GLORY(9) EL CLIENTE/SPORTING CLAY(10) DANCEHALL SWEET/ ZANDRINA(11) SEEKING MY DREAM/ FRANFIELD(12) AGAKHAN
Reggae Boyz stumble again in 3-0 CONCACAF WCQ loss to Costa Rica
MIAMI, United States (CMC):United States-based forward Trevin Caesar (86th, 89th) netted a second-half brace as Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) crushed St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) 6-0 in the return leg of their fourth round CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying tie in Port-of-Spain on Tuesday night.There was no such enterprise for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Costa Rica away in San JosÈ in Group B.At the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San JosÈ, Jamaica were behind through Celso Borges’ seventh-minute strike, while veteran Bryan Ruiz added the hosts’ second eight minutes before half-time.Jamaica failed to find a response and Major League Soccer star Johan Venegas put the finishing touches on Costa Rica’s win with a 76th minute strike.In the same group, Haiti’s misery continued when they lost 1-0 to Panama in Panama City.The Reggae Boyz are third with four points in Group B, with Costa Rica top with 10 and Panama second on seven points. Haiti lie bottom with a single point.Trinidad and Tobago’s emphatic victory put them firmly at the top of Group C with 10 points, with the United States second on seven and Guatemala third on six. SVG, without a point from four games, have been eliminated.Sheldon Bateau (36th), Joevin Jones (49th), Kenwyne Jones (60th) and Kevin Molino (66th) were T&T’s other scorers.
FLOW marks 100-day countdown to Rio Olympics
DEDICATED TV CHANNELS Flow will offer viewers the widest range of Olympic programming, available through Flow Sports and other dedicated TV channels, giving customers over 2000 hours of live sporting action, more than any other broadcaster in the region. Flow has also inked regional endorsements with several Caribbean athletes. Some of those athletes will be featured in Flow’s Olympics Campaign, including Olympic Gold medallist Kirani James (Grenada); athletic hopefuls Khalifa St Fort (Trinidad and Tobago); Delano Williams (Turks and Caicos); star hurdler Jaheel Hyde (Jamaica) and 2015 Pan Am Games gold medallist, high-jumper, Levern Spencer (St. Lucia). On April 22nd Flow launched a regional “text-to-win” competition, which will give customers from across the region the chance to win the “Ultimate Rio 2016 Olympic Games Tour.” Four lucky winners will be recipients of the Gold Tour Package, which includes tickets for two to the coveted men’s and women’s 100 metre finals, the two football semi-finals, and beach volleyball matches. The winners will also be treated to guided tours of Rio de Janiero, as well as a grand farewell dinner. “We wanted to make this the best possible Olympic Games experience for our customers,” said Reid. “We will give them an opportunity to participate in the excitement leading up to the games, and provide several lucky customers a chance to win the trip of a lifetime. These competitions, on top of our best-in-class, around-the-clock HD coverage of the Games, are sure to make these Olympic Games the most pleasurable and memorable experience yet for sports fans around the region.” Today Flow joins International Olympic Committee (IOC) partners all over the world in celebration of the official 100-day countdown to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. To mark the occasion, Flow, the region’s only multi-platform Rio 2016 Olympic Games broadcast partner officially announced that it will be broadcasting the Games in HD across the region on Flow Sports, as well as on up to three additional HD channels. Flow will also be delivering the Games via the innovative Flow Rio 2016 Extra app, giving customers access to every Olympic event at their fingertips, and “on the go”, a first for the Caribbean region. “As we join the rest of the world in celebrating the 100-day countdown to one of the biggest sporting events in the world, we are indeed excited at the prospect of delivering the highest quality HD broadcast across multiple platforms, enabling customers to view the games not only on TV but on their mobile devices,” said John Reid, President of Flow.
Past The Finishing Post
Past The Finishing PostTrack: Good Weather: FineRace 1 1200 M (Purse $530,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($250,0-$210,0)/NB5YO(NW2)&6YO&UP(NW4)*1. #1 MESMERIZE DCardenas 50.52. #5 ABOGADO JErwin 54.0 14L3. #3 STORMONTHESEA AndrePowell3 51.5 1-1/2L4. #6 TWILIGHT CITIZEN SEllis 56.0 1-1/2LWIN: $119.00PLACE: $74.00, 4101.00, $121.00Final Time : 1:12.2 Splits : 23.2, 46.3Winner : 3yo gr filly – PERFORMING MAGIC – WHEELS OF LAWTrainer : ANTHONY NUNES Owner : STEPHAN NARINESINGH & MARK ROBERTS & COURTNEY WALSHBred by EVERGLADES FARMS LTD.Qu: $774.00 Ex: $1,089.00Trifecta: $1,174.00Race 2 1600 M (Purse $768,000) NB3-Y-O MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT1. #8 HEY CHAMP LSteadman2 54.5*2. #4 RUBY ROSE SMuir 52.5 3L3. #2 RED DREAD OScott4 49.5 20-1/2L4. #7 CODED SECRET CBrown 52.0 NoseDNF #5 BIG PAUL DenBrown 55.0 4/1WIN: $158.00PLACE: $76.00, $58.00, $138.00Final Time : 1:41.2 Splits : 24.2, 47.4, 1:12.1Winner : 3yo ch colt – SEEKING THE GLORY – PRETTY HILLYTrainer: ANTHONY NUNES Owner : OAKRIDGE FARMSBred by DONALD G. WEHBYQu: $113.00 Ex: $285.00D/E: $435.00Superfecta: $1,577.00Race 3 1000 M (S) (Purse $560,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($350,0-$300,0)/NB5YO(NW3)1. #1 FIFTYONESTORM BebHarvey2 55.02. #2 ARGUMENT DONE LSteadman2 54.0 4-1/2L*3. #3 FRANKENSTORM RHalledeen 54.0 Nose4. #5 FASTANDFLASHY WHenry 52.0 2-1/4LWIN: $120.00PLACE: $52.00, $68.00, $55.00Final Time : 1:00.1 Splits : 22.4, 46.1Winner : 5yo b filly – STORM CRAFT – SHE’S A GEMTrainer : ALBERT CHONG Owner : DAVID MARRETTBred by ALLAN FLOWERSQu: $435.00 Ex: $678.00D/E: $444.00Trifecta: $257.00Rolling Triple: $1,217.00Race 4 1200 M (Purse $620,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($550,0-$500,0)/NB4YO(NW4)1. #1 WELL BLESSED HPottinger2 52.0*2. #2 SCOOP JORDYNE OWalker 56.0 3/4L3. #5 CRUISING MOTION ARobles 54.0 1/2L4. #3 SHADE OF BEAUTY DCardenas 52.0 5LWIN: $171.00PLACE: $79.00, $75.00, $111.00Final Time : 1:12.4 Splits : 22.4, 46.0Winner : 4yo b filly – BURNING MARQUE – SO BLESSEDTrainer : DWIGHT CHEN Owner : JOSEPH THOMASBred by TREVOR DUNKLEY (SR.)Qu: $289.00 Ex: $516.00D/E: $328.00Superfecta: $4,377.00Rolling Triple: $1,494.00Race 5 1100 M (Purse $480,000) NB5-Y-O & UP MAIDEN CLAIMING ($250,0-$210,0)*1. #1 THEGREATALLIANCE DBadaloo 53.02. #6 DEPUTY HEADGIRL JJackson 51.5 1-3/4L3. #5 IDON’TKNOW HPottinger2 51.0 4-1/2L4. #4 RUDE AWAKENING BebHarvey2 53.0 4-1/2LWIN: $159.00PLACE: $90.00, $164.00, $89.00Final Time : 1:09.4 Splits : 23.3, 48.1Winner : 6yo b horse – LEGAL PROCESS – DANCING JINSKYTrainer : COLIN FERGUSON Owner: EVERAL FRANCISBred by DERRICK MARTINQu: $1,273.00 Ex: $1,600.00D/E: $498.00Superfecta: $3,769.00Rolling Triple: $1,145.00C.T.L. STABLE RIDERS’ RACERace 6 800 M (S) (Purse $500,000) 5YO&UP CLM($180,0)-NOT EARNED $110,0 SINCE AUGUST 3(DIV.I)1. #9 WILLINSTON SRichardson 54.02. #4 PRIMERO OMurray 54.0 7L3. #1 SEAL THE DEAL AJAllen 51.5 Neck4. #7 SPROUTING WINGS CMamdeen 51.0 Sh.Head5. #3 TO THE WORLD DSatchell 53.0 1-1/2LWIN: $309.00PLACE: $189.00, $116.00, $373.00Final Time : 0:48.3 Splits : 23.3Winner : 9yo ch horse – FOOTLOOSE II – MARVELOUSANLUVABLETrainer: WINCHESTER MCINTOSH Owner : WINCHESTER MCINTOSHBred by ERIC MARTINQu: $1,326.00 Ex: $4,477.00D/E: $1,733.00Trifecta: $12,903.00Hi-5: $60,500.50Rolling Triple : (1-1-9) $6,540.00Pick-4: $13,352.00Super-6: $59,874.90Race 7 1600 M (Purse $500,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($180,0)/NB6YO&UP(NW3)*1. #7 MONEYNEVERSLEEP OWalker 54.02. #2 EXPRESS TRUCK JJackson 56.0 3L3. #11 MEET JUSTIN OEdwards3 51.0 2L4. #1 YES WE WILL RWilson 54.0 1-1/2L5. #3 ONE GREAT TRAIN PParchment 57.0 5LLate scratch : #5 MARIA’S GLORYWIN: $105.00PLACE: $65.00, $71.00, $112.00Final Time : 1:42.2 Splits : 24.3, 48.2, 1:14.3,Winner : 8yo b mare – REGION OF MERIT – SEATTLE PRINCESSTrainer : NEIVE GRAHAM Owner : MODERN CONNECTIONBred by ELVIN DUNCAN & EDGAR LLEWELLYNQu: $166.00 Ex: $338.00D/E: $2,481.00 (9-5) $375.00Trifecta: $264.00Hi-5: $3,053.00Rolling Triple: $1,569.00C.T.L. STABLE RIDERS’ RACERace 8 800 M (S) (Purse $500,000) 5YO&UP CLM($180,0)-NOT EARNED $110,0 SINCE AUGUST 3(DIV.II)1. #4 GRANDE MARQUE ONugent 52.0*2. #7 LOVETTA JONES JSteadman 54.0 Head3. #10 ANNIE OAKLEY TFoster 54.0 2L4. #1 LIGHT BRIGADE JEdwards 54.0 2-3/4L5. #2 AWESOME CAT CMamdeen 54.0 NeckWIN: $221.00PLACE: $69.00, $62.00, $133.00Final Time : 0:48.0 Splits : 23.2Winner : 8yo b horse – BURNING MARQUE – GRAND CAFETrainer : ANDREW MCDONALD Owner : 3D’SBred by CARL ANDERSONQu: $209.00 Ex: $482.00D/E: $550.00Trifecta: $1,390.00Hi-5: $31,561.00Rolling Triple: $4,013.00ANDREW H.B. AGUILAR MEMORIAL CUPRace 9 1600 M (Purse $800,000) NB2-Y-O MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT*1. #3 PONTIUS PILATE DCardenas 53.02. #8 PROUD OF NUCLEAR AChatrie 53.0 3/4L3. #1 RADICAL OWalker 53.0 2-3/4L4. #2 NIGHT LIGHT JErwin 53.0 5LWIN: $86.00PLACE: $55.00, $65.00, $110.00Final Time : 1:41.0 Splits : 24.2, 47.3, 1:12.3Winner : 2yo ch colt – FOREST DANGER – SEA TREATYTrainer : ANTHONY NUNES Owner : SHIVAM MAHARAJBred by EVERGLADES FARMS LTD.Qu: $151.00 Ex: $177.00D/E: $376.00Superfecta: $451.00Rolling Triple: $945.00Race 10 1000 M (S) (Purse $768,000) NB3YO(NW2)/IMP3YO&UP(MDN)-REST. ALL. II*1. #13 BLUE MOON JInnis3 48.02. #11 BOUNCE RLahoe 52.5 3/4L3. #7 UNION FOUR PFrancis 51.5 1-1/4L4. #8 PRINCE KAMALI DCardenas 51.0 3/4L5. #10 SWEET DESTINY AntThomas3 50.0 1/2LWIN: $141.00PLACE: $71.00, $102.00, $147.00Final Time : 0:58.1 Splits : 22.3, 45.0Winner : 3yo ch filly – RISING MOON – LUVABLETrainer : WAYNE DACOSTA Owner : ERIC MARTINBred by ERIC MARTINQu: $1,504.00 Ex: $3,075.00D/E: $262.00Trifecta: $7,477.00Hi-5 Carry-over : $137,458.75Rolling Triple: $1,533.00Pick-4: $2,964.00 (4 OF 4)Super-6: $36,586.30 (6 OF 6)Pick-9 : $2,189,310.50 (9 OF 9)PlacePot 8: $9,393.00 (8 OF 8)
Stadium Upgrade Not Yet Approved – Grange
Sports Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has said that the process of approving the renovation of the National Stadium in Kingston is not as simple as many would believe. Independence Park Limited (IPL) General Manager Major Desmon Brown had previously told The Gleaner that phased renovation of the venue would start this year, as soon as IPL receives the $5 billion it needs from the Ministry of Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sport. However, Minister Grange has responded to this, saying that there are many steps that must be taken before the funds can be given to IPL. “There’s a process that you have to go through in order to secure funding for major projects,” Grange said. “There’s the design, the development plan, there’s a costing, and so on, but we have to get signed off and approval from certain entities within Government that you have to make the presentation to. The projects for both the Trelawny Stadium and the National Stadium have not been taken to that secretariat and presented to them as yet.” The projects for the National Stadium that Grange mentions would include providing separate access for athletes and officials, replacing the benches in the bleachers section with individual seating, improved medical facilities, improved drug testing facilities, improved media facilities, and adding private boxes to provide premium accommodation for spectators who can afford it. Grange said that once these projects have been approved, the next step is for the Planning Institute of Jamaica to go and seek the necessary funding. She also dismissed public opinion that there is money readily available to the Government to undertake large-scale projects such as this, but it is unwilling to use it. “I don’t think it’s a matter of Government having the money,” she said. “I think it’s a matter that when we have these major projects to do, it can be a combination of borrowed money, grant funding, and funds from Central Government, from the Budget. These major projects are going to cost a lot of money. Once we get signed off on the feasibility of the project, then we go into discussions and we can look bilateral funding. There are many sources out there that we can get funding from, but first, we have to get signed off on the project.” Grange said that the Ministry is hoping to get the approval quickly, as it is considered an important investment, but added that she knows that both the approval and funding will materialise in due time. IMPROVED FACILITIES
Barrett going for gold
St Jago’s Timor Barrett, last year’s bronze medal winner in the 400 metres hurdles open, is hoping to go sub-51 seconds at next week’s ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships.Barrett, a semi-finalist in the event at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Poland last summer, has been in great form all season. He displayed that good form at the Carifta Trials, clocking 51.49 seconds to win the Under-20 event, and in the process, defeated last year’s Champs winner, Juavaney James of St Elizabeth Technical, who was relegated to fifth in the event.Both Barrett and his coach, Rhansomme Edwards, are very confident of going faster at Champs.”Timor’s performance at Carifta was a very good one, and he actually came to a stop at the fifth hurdle but recovered well to win and run a fast time and was just outside of his personal best, and I am very confident he can go under the 52 seconds barrier,” Edwards said.Barrett and his new coach now have a strong bond.”I have had a good relationship so far with my coach, and he motivates me a lot, and he is just straightforward, and this helps me to stay focused and be motivated, and I am hoping that I can go all the way at Champs,” he said.- R.G.
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