JAMAICA’S Minister Without Portfolio with responsibility for sport in the Office of the Prime Minister, Natalie Neita-Headley is urging Jamaican athletes to remain focused and disciplined during the staging of the National Junior and Senior Athletic Championship.

The junior championship began yesterday at the National Stadium, while the seniors will be in action next weekend.

In responding to the return of a positive dope test by revered Jamaican sprinter, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Neita-Headley, who did not mention the veteran athlete’s name in the news release issued yesterday, said also that due process in the matter was being eagerly awaited.

“The Government of Jamaica is aware of the adverse analytical finding of one of our national athletes following testing conducted by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) during the May 4, 2013 Jamaica Invitational Meet under the supervision of an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Doping Representative,” the statement said.

“The IAAF is continuing to conduct its results management procedures in accordance with its rules. We await the outcome of the

due process.

“We continue to be proud of our rich sporting history and tradition and of all of our athletes who give of their best in representing Jamaica in the various sporting disciplines locally and internationally. We encourage our athletes to remain focused and disciplined during this time of the staging of our national Junior and

Senior Championships.

“As a country, we are committed to our Anti-Doping programme and the preservation of integrity in sport. JADCO has a robust in and out of competition testing programme as well as a strong public information network,” Neita Headley said.