THE University of Technology (UTech) launched its 2011 Sports Classic Series Wednesday night at the Caribbean Sculpture Park, Papine Campus, announcing the third staging of the four-day Twenty20 Cricket Classic which got underway yesterday with two matches.

UTech’s director of sport Anthony Davis noted that the event sought to “get funding by earning, instead of always asking for donations” and generate income by staging “a series of international sporting events for our student athletes”.

“The UTech Classic Series is in its fourth year for track and field as that was the first event we hosted and the third year for golf, basketball, beach volleyball and cricket…”, he pointed out.

Though teams from the UK and Barbados participated in the first two years and invitations were sent to teams from Australia, India, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK, only four local teams are participating in the current Twenty20 Cricket Classic.

Defending champions UTech Knights will seek to hold to their title against GC Foster College, UWI Pelicans and Mico University College with the final set for noon on Sunday at the UTech front field.

“I can assure you that the standard of play will… be high as all four participants have student-athletes who have played at various levels for Jamaica,” Davis pointed out.

There are two matches scheduled per day (9:30am and 1:30pm), with the quartet vying for the Lindel Wright Trophy.

The track and field classic will run off on April 16 at the National Stadium, the golf classic on September 24-25 at Caymanas Golf Course, and the basketball classic on November 25-26 at the UTech Auditorium.

Davis said the series offered opportunities for establishing network among participating student-atheltes, the strengthening of ties from participating institutions, and a better understanding through exchange programme of sports among the participants.

Given that an increasing number of student-athletes are participating in sports to achieve elite status, Davis argued that UTech “must ensure that no obstacles are in the way to inhibit our student athletes excelling in their chosen sport. Every opportunity must be provided to allow for matriculation into our programmes, and so we must provide all relevant support”.

He cited adequate sports facilities, assistance with funding through scholarships, nutrition and medical as critical areas that need support.

UTech president, Professor Errol Morrison, officially launched the Classic, while vice-president responsible for development, Professor Rosalea Hamilton, chair of the office of development advisory committee Oliver Jones, and president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Paul Campbell made remarks.

In yesterday’s games, UTech Knights defeated GC Foster College by seven runs in a close affair, while The Mico University College cruised to a seven-wicket victory over the UWI Pelicans.