C'Down Classic attracts int'l press

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, February 03, 2012

A plethora of international media houses will descend on the Camperdown Classic set for February 11 which will see World Champions and Racers Track Club teammates Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake making their season's debuts.

Cynthia Cooke, former principal of Camperdown High and chairperson of the event, said Bolt is usually a name that attracts most interest.

"This has fuelled the interest by the overseas media and we have been having several requests for accreditation," Cooke said at the launch of the eighth staging at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston yesterday.

"One from Denmark, Reuters, CNN just to name a few. The internet is filled with him (Bolt) opening at the Classic," said Cooke.

She added: "The full slate of Racers athletes are expected to be on show. Camperdown Classic is definitely an event to which any company should want to attach their brands."

With that in mind, a host of sponsors were on hand to present their cheques, with Grace Kennedy Remittance Service (GKRS), through its Western Union arm, pumping in an impressive $600,000 as the main sponsor.

Patria-Kaye Aarons, (GKRS) public relations and communications manager, said her organisation is excited to come on board as the major sponsor.

"This is actually GraceKennedy's second year coming... as major sponsor for the Camperdown Classics, and we're excited," said Aarons.

"I'm looking forward to the speed and the spirit next Saturday. To everyone at home, I encourage you to come out and support your school, see our althletic stars of tomorrow and those like Usain of today, and come share with the GraceKennedy family," she said.

Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) also chipped in with $250,000, and Delia Burke, its regional business development manager for Kingston, St Catherine and Clarendon, said they are proud of their contribution to the development of athletics.

"An event sponsor of the Camperdown Classics since its inception, this morning we're pleased to elevate our sponsorship... that has now solidified its place on the track and field calendar," said Burke.

Over 60 schools will participate at the meet which is slated to begin at 8:15 am with the Women's 400m metres hurdles and end at 7:10 pm with the 4x400m Men's Open.

The Classic will see one new event in the 400m hurdles for clubs, and will include the 100m, and 400m for seniors only; 800m, 1500m, 4x100m and 4x400m relays. The field events are high jump, long jump, triple jump and pole vault.

A special prize of $100,000 will be shared among the top three finishers in the high school Class I Boys and Girls 4x100m relays.

The winners will pocket $60,000, second place $25,000 and third, $15,000.

Meanwhile, Camperdown past student Margaret Byfield-Lawrence, who excelled at netball, will be this year's honouree.

Byfield-Lawrence first represented Jamaica at age 15 on the Under-19 team and made her senior debut at the 1996 Caribbean Championship.