The Ben Francis Invitational organising committee has been working hard to ensure that all areas of the meet continue to meet and surpass the JAAA’s standard, which was approved last year under the presidency of the late Howard Aris.

This year Vere Technical High School, which has the distinction of producing 49 Olympians and World Championship representatives, will be honouring Deon Hemmings-McCatty, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics 400 metres hurdles gold medallist at the Ben Francis Invitational 2 event at the Vere Technical High School on Saturday, February 18, beginning at 9:00 am.

The principal of Vere, Dr Henritta Stewart is most delighted with the nomination and acceptance of Hemmings-McCatty as the honouree for this year, and indicated that future meets will be used to recognise Vere Tech’s greats, such as Merlene Ottey, Veronica Campbell Brown, Aleen Bailey, Michael McDonald and others.

Richard Bowen of Laribo marketing and Ben Francis Invitational committee member and events planner said that he is also happy to be a part of the process of honouring this giant and graceful lady that carved out history for herself and country, while working hard to do so.

Bowen also indicated that the Ben Francis Invitational will also present great opportunities as the meet will be a ‘Champs qualifier’ for all track events, as Vere has a true 400-metre track and all equipment and electronic timing will be provided with expertise from the JAAA.

There will also be six championship events which will attract a reward of $40,000 to the winning school of each event, which are boys: 4x100m Class One, 400m Class One and 2,000m steeple chase Open. Girls: 4x400m Open, 200m Class One and high jump Class O.

Bowen is encouraging all schools and clubs (200m), to register early, as this meet will also present the opportunity for a true test in the relays, as the Gibson Relays will be the following week at the National Stadium.