EIGHT masters teams will take part in the Gibson Relays today at the National Stadium as the new season of the Jamaica Masters Athletics Association (JMAA) shifts into top gear.

Defending champions Ocho Rios Masters will return, facing competition from Jamaica Masters, St Catherine Masters, Police Masters, Express Masters, Big Brothers Masters, Balance Masters and Elite Masters.

Big Brothers Masters will feature dominant Calabar High sprinter of the late 1980s to the early 1990s, 40-year-old Daniel England, who will go up against teams with Samuel Brevett, Maynard McIntosh and Michael Stewart.

England, who lives in the United States and Andrew Shirley, will go all out to ensure their rivals look up to them like big brothers.

Meanwhile, president of the JMAA, Leo McEwan, said the association would be targeting two international meets this year, namely the Penn Relays from April 25-28 and the North Central American and Caribbean Masters Championships in St John, Canada between August 9-12.

Earlier this year, Stewart and Paul Green have shown good form at the JC/Wata and the Queens Grace Jackson meets, respectively.

Stewart won the Masters 100m at JC clocking 11.42 seconds, ahead of Green, 11.68 seconds; while at the Queens Masters 400 metres, Green ran 52.7, beating Wilfred Wilson, 55.1, Richard Morgan 57.0 and Stewart 57.7.

At the Milo Western Relays, in the clubs and institutions category, Brevett, Stewart, Green and McIntosh recorded 45.48 seconds, for second place.

Masters competing in road races with “favourable results” this season included president McEwan, vice-president Dennis Reid, general secretary Gregory Tomlinson, treasurer Winston Laidlaw and auditor McIntosh.

“I am encouraged by the high standard of performances being turned by the athletes,” said president McEwan.

“Following our participation in the World Masters Championships last year from where we returned with two gold medals, I think that Masters athletics in enjoying some kind of recognition now, albeit not where I would like it to be,” he added.

McEwan admitted that the association has had “expressions of interest” from athletes in the Diaspora after the World Masters Championships, but bemoaned the lack of support from corporate and government entities.

“This can only lead to a healthier nation and a decrease on our health bill,” he explained.