ISSA hears the coaches’ cry
FOLLOWING a protest by coaches, the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has made a change to the schedule of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships schedule.
The Girls Triple Jump Open that was originally set for Thursday evening at 7:30 pm, two hours after the Class Two long jump, has now been shifted to Friday morning at 8:30 am.
A number of coaches — including Edwin Allen’s Michael Dyke, Hydel High’s Corey Bennett and Vere Technical girls jumps coach Joseph Wilkie — had protested last week that the close proximity of the two events would not give the athletes the best chance to perform at their optimum.
Dyke, whose team is expecting to repeat as champions, had told the Jamaica Observer last week that the two hours in between may not even give the long jump enough time to be completed.
Several coaches had suggested that one of the events be switched to Tuesday’s opening day of the 103rd staging of the world’s largest high school track and field championships.
No finals will be decided on Tuesday, however, and the first final scheduled will be the boys Class Two long jump set to start at 3:35 pm on Wednesday.
