MAURICE Wignall, the 2006 Commonwealth Games 110 m hurdles champion, will conduct a coaching clinic in hurdles at the National Stadium East field from May 25-28.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange, made the announcement on Wednesday during the media launch of the INSPORTS/Swizzzle Primary School Athletics Championship at Wyndham Hotel where Wignall was also present.

The 35-year-old Wignall says, unlike in the sprints, there isn’t enough prospective hurdlers coming through to the international level for Jamaica.

“This Maurice Wignall Hurdling Clinic is the first of its kind in Jamaica and the first ever clinic open to the public, hosted by a Jamaican Athlete,” he said. “It is my hope, that hosting this clinic will ignite a passion for hurdling and help Jamaica as a track and field power.”

The clinic is open to both coaches and athletes and is free of charge to the participants.

Top local hurdles coach Fitz Coleman will be one of the instructors, Wignall said, while the workshop will focus on technique.

Over the years, Jamaica has had only two top-class male hurdlers in Wignall, who is the reigning national record holder with 13.17 seconds and Dwight Thomas.

At last year’s National Trials only two rounds were required for the 100m and 110m hurdles due to the low number of entries.

“I’m on my way out and if I should stop now, Jamaica will be one short. So in order to prevent that from happening, I have decided to do this clinic which would bring more kids to the sport and generate a lot of interest like what is happening in the sprints,” Wignall told the Observer.

Known as “Mr Cool” because of his ultra smooth hurdling technique, Wignall said his clinic will try to cover all the information that is needed to make coaches and athletes yield better results.

There isn’t enough time to impart so much information, he admitted, but he hopes this clinic will be the first of many in his effort to make his country a major force in the obstacle event.

The clinic will coincide with the 31st staging of the INSPORTS/Swizzzle Primary School Athletics Championship and it is said that interest from primary school coaches have increased.

“Most primary school coaches are aware of the dates and are eager to attend with their athletes. They (primary coaches) will also use the upcoming primary champs to identify select athletes to attend the clinic. This will narrow our focus and help us better serve the attendees, he said.