THE Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) says it will be clamping down on indiscipline and ejecting any patrons from the Grand Stand section of the National Stadium who cannot prove that they are in their assigned seats during this year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys & Girls Championships from March 30 to April 2.

Chairperson of the Champs Organising Committee and Wolmer’s Girls’ principal Colleen Montague told the Sunday Observer that in the past, because of not wanting to cause chaos or disruption during the meet, ISSA had allowed patrons who refused to get up when they could not prove that they were in the right seats to remain, but this would no longer be accepted.

“People need to understand that they have a ticket for a particular seat so there will be an ejection team if you are failing to comply with the guidelines we have outlined,” Montague said.

“Every ticket has a numbered seat and (persons) defy even the police and tell them they are not going to get up and because they don’t want it to be an issue and a disruption the police concede.. and we find other seats for patrons with the tickets.”

Montague added that the excuse most often used is, “I don’t have my ticket stub”. As a result, ISSA will be insisting that spectators produce their ticket stubs.

“We’re putting out the reminders that people need to retain their ticket stubs because they need to have proof of purchase of the ticket, especially when there is some kind of disparity in terms of whose seat it is,” she stated.

This year’s meet will carry a $50 million price tag, which Montague said not only represented an adjustment for inflation from the J$30 million price tag for last year’s 100th anniversary celebration, but an increase in the cost of a number of goods and services the association provides.

Rental of the stadium for four days will cost of J$6 million while ISSA will also pay the National Works Agency (NWA) for clean-up at the end of the competition.

ISSA also purchased new equipment as they have included three new events — the 2000m steeplechase, Class One boys decathlon, and the Open boys javelin throw — on this year’s programme.

“We’re looking toward the development of track and field and we’re hoping with our thrust it will assist with the national teams in the future…,” Montague explained.

One “fun” addition will be the inclusion of a mascot, “Champsy”, who will make his debut on Wednesday’s opening day of competition.

Twenty-eight finals, including the 100m for boys and girls in all classes, will be contested on Friday following the Opening Ceremony.