57 schools for Prep Champs

Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

More than 57 schools are expected to participate in the 32nd staging of the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Preparatory Schools Track and Field Championships scheduled to take place at the National Stadium from June 5-7.

Title sponsor WISYNCO Group Limited, through its affiliate brand Bigga Soft Drinks, has sponsored the 2008 competition to the tune of $1 million in cash and product donations.

The partnership between Bigga and the JISA was sealed at a launch of the competition yesterday at the Altamont Court Hotel, Kingston.

Defending champions Hydel Prep will look to retain their championship title while good competition is expected from Quest, Vaz, Wolmer's and Ardenne Preparatory schools. Brown's Little People Prep and Praise Tabernacle Christian Academy will make their debut at this year's championships. The competition is scheduled to begin at 8:00a.m. on June 5 and 6 and will culminate on Saturday, June 7 starting at 10:00a.m.

Cathy Rattray, Chairman of the JISA Sports Committee, welcomed the sponsorship from WISYNCO and spoke of the need for taking a holistic approach to sports development.

"On recognising the importance of sport to the development of healthy bodies, the JISA seeks to expound on these benefits via the championships. With Bigga on board, we once again look forward to an exciting season," she said.

Leading up to the championships, the JISA will be promoting sports and sportsmanship in schools and will be offering a series of clinics to the athletes to share some of the experiences of national athletes and their coaches.

The clinic series will kick off on Monday May 19 at the Sts Peter and Paul Prep, and continue on May 21 at the Liberty Prep. On May 27 the clinic will be hosted at the Stadium East field and will culminate at Hillel Prep on May 29. All clinics are scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.

These clinics will be led by some of Jamaica's junior and senior national representatives, including Olympic gold medalist Aleen Bailey, world 100m record holder Asafa Powell and 2005 World Championship silver medalist Sherone Simpson. Coaches will include Olympian Bert Cameron and Kevin Pryce.

Bailey, who was also in attendance at the launch, implored young athletes to excel on the track and in the classroom.

"Education is the key. Track and field is really good but you cannot win all the time. As you get older it gets harder. So you have to have an education to fall back on," she said.