REIGNING champions Hydel are tipped to maintain their dominance in both categories at the June 2-4 Bigga/JISA Inter-Prep School Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium.

Hundreds of athletes will compete in 34 events, which will be split across classes, ranging from one to three. Three new schools to this year’s competition are Kiddies Prep, Excel Prep and United Learning Centre.

Speaking at the launch of the event yesterday at the Mona Prep School, chairman of the organising commitee Wayne Robinson, said that measures will be put in place to minimise delays over the three days of the competition and to facilitate a “well-run” meet.

“We want a well-run meet and we are looking foward to having participation from our youngsters in a safe environment. We are scheduled to start 8:00am on each day, except on Saturday’s final day where we’ll start at 10 o’ clock. We want to get out of the stadium by 6:00 each evening because we dont want to use the lights.

“We want to run on time so we are asking schools to be at the venue on time. We want to ensure that our cadre of officials are our usual professional bunch and we want students to be on time so the principals and coaches have that responsibility,” he said.

Robinson added that International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) guidelines will be adhered to, barring the false start rule, to allow maximum participation in the events.

Since January 2010, a zero-tolerance stance has been adopted by the IAAF at high-level meets so that sprinters who false start are immediately disqualified.

Former Olympian Grace Jackson, who was guest speaker at the launch, praised the efforts of organisers and believes that school competitions help to instill a winning mentality in youngsters.

“Competition drives success because everyone wants to be the best and that kind of attitude starts at a meet like this. Year after year you get to nurture and produce good athletes and that development drives the characteristics of those individuals,” Jackson said.

This 2011 edition is the 34th Prep School Champs and marks the fifth year of Wisynco Jamaica Limited’s sponsorship, through its Bigga brand. Sports apparel giants PUMA and Wisynco’s other refreshment brands WATA and Powerade are other major sponsors.

Wisynco’s Marketing Executive for Beverages, Joffia Johnson-Bell, expressed pride at being able to support the Championships to the tune of $900,000, which is a $50,000 improvement on last year’s sponsorship.

“The brand has always been comitted to the development of sport in Jamaica, as Bigga is a locally manufactured and owned product. We always try to lend support and this is one of instances where we are able to develop the youths in track and field,” she said.