Having started their journey at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA)/Sagicor National Primary, All-age and Junior High Athletics Championships, a number of Jamaica’s elite athletes are set to grace this year’s 33rd staging of the event, set for May 20 and 21 at the National Stadium.

The details of this new initiative, coupled with the handover of a symbolic $6-million cheque by title sponsors Sagicor were part of the event’s launch held inside the Ben Hawthorne Conference Room at the JTA’s Church Street headquarters yesterday.

Sagicor Foundation’s sponsorship represents a $1 million increase from last year, while the JTA Co-operative Credit Union and National Baking Company also invested over $1.4 million and $1-million, respectively, to the event.

In addition to their sponsorship, the financial services conglomerate will also provide two five-year academic scholarships at the secondary level to the champion girl and boy of the meet which has been a tradition upheld over the years.

Nadine Newsome, public relations and corporate social responsibility manager at Sagicor Group, outlined that partnering with the illustrious meet is aimed at building on the athletic and developmental needs of young athletes across the island.

“The Sagicor Foundation as a partner of this event is not by accident, as at Sagicor we see this as an investment in our youth, recognising what this event has been and how it will continue to advance the development of sport in Jamaica,” Newsome noted, while addressing those in attendance at the launch.

Norman Allen, president of the JTA, reiterated that the ultimate goal of the meet is to provide an avenue for “fun and frolic” for the young generation of this “emerging and formidable” nation.

“Parents know that children are the repository of energy; eager to run, jump and play. However, redirecting that ready-to-flow energy into competitive sports, help to keep young people healthy and active as they grow,” said Allen.

The meet, dubbed ‘The Starting Block’, has been a staple on the athletics calendar, having cemented its place as a strong foundation in Jamaica’s growing repertoire of Olympians.

The meet has produced some of the nation’s finest young stars, who have since gone on to enjoy athletic success at the highest level, namely World and Olympic medallists Usain Bolt, and Veronica Campbell-Brown, among others.

A number of these elite athletes will head back to their nurturing ground to represent top clubs such as MVP, Racers Track Club and Sprintec, among others, in a specially organised relay event for clubs.

Each year, the championships produce an outstanding cadre of young stars, and this year is expected to be no different, when over 1,200 young athletes from 14 parishes converge at the championships for two days of high-level competition.

Students from ages six to 17, from over 800 primary, all-age and junior high schools across the island, will participate in approximately 52 events. St Andrew is the defending champions.

The opening day is scheduled to have eight finals, to include the Under-9 cricket ball throw, long jump, shot put and high jump. The first day is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am and will be free to patrons.

All other finals, which amount to 44, will take place on the second and final day to begin at 10:00 am. Admission for the final day is $100 for children and $200 for adults.

The Jamaica Observer is the official print media partner of the championships.