A dizzying succession of fast times at the age-group level over recent weeks, from 100m to 400m, in both hurdles and flat events, reminds us of the extraordinary strength of Jamaican track athletics.

We expect there to be further confirmation of that strength during the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships (Champs) involving more than 200 schools set for March 24-28.

As we have said repeatedly in this space, the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has done an admirable job over many years in administering sport, with Champs being its flagship event.

The world, we believe, is gradually starting to understand the extent to which Champs and other athletic events organised by schools have influenced the strong growth of Jamaican sprinting dating back to the first half of the 20th century.

Lord Sebastian Coe, an Olympic double gold medallist, currently vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations and who is bidding to become president, said as much during his visit to Jamaica last month.

“I know that the sport is strong in schools in Jamaica and this is where the development in the sport starts. Jamaica has done excellent here, and this is why they are so good at the world level,” he was reported as saying.

Among the aspects ISSA has been able to get right is sponsorship support for Champs. Even in decades past, when Jamaica’s status on the world stage was much lower than is the case currently, ISSA was able to attract strong support from sponsors because of the popularity and recognition value of Champs.

We suspect that in these times ISSA has very little to complain about when it comes to sponsorship for Champs.

At midweek, title sponsors GraceKennedy announced sponsorship support of $38.5 million for the upcoming meet, up $1.75 million on the previous year. We are told that the company will spend an additional $30 million on marketing.

Let’s bear in mind that GraceKennedy has also awarded Calabar High School student athlete Mr Michael O’Hara a $1-million scholarship over two years.

In addition to the title sponsor, associate sponsors for Champs 2015 include TVJ, LIME, Gatorade, PUMA, Huawei and the Canadian High Commission. Such is the quality of competition and the popularity of the event all will confidently expect to get their money’s worth.

As usual, much attention will be paid to the behaviour of student and adult spectators and supporters inside and outside the National Stadium. We need not remind our readers that on a few occasions in the past that aspect has caused problems.

Everyone, most of all the leadership of the schools, must pay the closest possible attention.