DESPITE being named in a developmental squad for elite athletes by Athletics Canada, targeting his participation in the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, Alistair Moona has his heart set on wearing the black, green and gold of Jamaica, land of his birth.

The former Catherine Hall Primary and Herbert Morrison Technical student who migrated with his family to the North American country in 2006, competed for Canada at the IAAF World Junior Championships (WJC) held in Moncton, Canada last year and was a finalists in the 400 metres.

Moona, who just turned 19 and is still a junior this season, missed the National Junior Trials as it clashed with his exams at the Erindale Secondary in Mississauga. He thus ended up attending the Canadian Junior Trials where he won the 400 in a personal best 46.54 seconds.

The 6′ 1″ athlete who was a finalist in the Class Three 100m hurdles in his only appearance at Boys’ Champs in 2006, says while he is grateful for the opportunity given to him by his adopted country, his dream is to represent Jamaica in athletics.

“My heart is in Jamaica; this is where I was born and raised and where I started track and field and I just love the vibes I get when I go there,” Moona told the Observer in a telephone interview from Canada on Sunday.

Moona’s most recent appearance on a track in Jamaica came in June 2009 when he competed at the Junior Trials at GC Foster, but he failed to make any of the teams that year.

However, since then he has been a regular visitor to the island and vacationed in Montego Bay in December where he spent time training with his primary and high school friend, IAAF triple world champion Dexter Lee with whom he has a strong bond.

Moona is not sitting idle while awaiting a switch, but has been proactive, calling the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) last November, but was advised that he should get in touch with Athletics Canada first.

He has since made contact with Athletics Canada and is awaiting a decision.

Moona told the Observer that according to the IAAF ruling, once both countries agree to his release he can move, but would have to miss one full year from his last international appearance.

A JAAA official confirmed the IAAF ruling and said they had heard from Moona but it was up to the Canadians to make the first move.

If Moona is granted a release by Canada, he would not be able to compete for Jamaica until late July as his last race for Canada was on July 23 last year at the WJC.

He would thus miss the CARIFTA Games set for Montego Bay in April, as well as the Junior Pan-American Games scheduled for Miramar, Florida on July 22-24.

When reminded that Canada was in a position to offer him more financially than Jamaica, Moona — who holds dual citizenship — was undaunted in his resolve.

He is presently sidelined with what he termed a “mild hamstring injury” which he picked up while training in mid-January.

He told the Observer he cannot complain about the treatment he has got so far in Canada.

“I can’t complain, they have treated me decent,” he said, but quickly added, “I don’t want to get too comfortable, however; as I am a true Jamaican.”

Moona said as the WJC in Moncton he used every opportunity to mingle with the Jamaicans, using his connections with Lee and coach Claude Grant to gain access.

Not one to back down from competition, Moona said he knew it was easier to make the Canada team to the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea in late August, but said he wanted the chance to compete for a spot on the Jamaican team.