Inaugural track meet for St Catherine, St Ann schools

Dania Bogle

Thursday, February 16, 2012

ATHLETES from St Catherine and St Ann will not have far to travel as they participate in this Saturday's inaugural MTT/ECODAC Development Track Meet to be held at the Ewarton Sports Field in St Catherine beginning at 9:00 am.

The meet, organised by the Movements for Transformation in Training (MTT) and the Ewarton Community Development Action Committee (ECODAC), is being used as a qualifier for next month's ISSA Boys & Girls Athletic Championships as well as preparation for the Carifta Trials on March 3 and 4.

Meet organiser, Maurice Edwards, told the Observer that the idea for the meet came out of a need to help athletes in the rural communities of St Catherine and St Ann with the costs of travel to events that are held at venues far way from their home base.

"It's geared moved towards those in the area because lots of them cannot afford to go to the many meets in Kingston," Edwards said.

"I saw the talent in this area so... I am trying to help the schools in trying to prepare themselves for competition because I don't think they are getting a fair chance," he added.

"(This meet) is for under 17, under 20, and seniors — giving youngsters a chance to look at themselves before (Carifta) trials while still trying to get a chance to qualify for Champs," he continued.

Among the schools expected to participate are Dinthill, Charlemont, Bog Walk High and York Castle High.

The meet will be headlined by 2011 Carifta Games 200m silver medallist Jevaughn Minzie of Bog Walk who is expected to compete against the likes of Kenute Pusey of Dinthill. Pusey has clocked 21.9 seconds over the distance this season.

Events to be contested include the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, long jump, high jump, triple jump, shot put, discus and Javelin.

The meet is being sponsored by Jamaica Beverages, National and Gears Plus.