Title sponsor Supreme Ventures has increased support to the anxiously awaited Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Senior and Junior Championships.

This year’s sponsorship from the gaming entity stands at $16 million.

Brian George, the president of Supreme Ventures, made the announcement of the $2m increase from last year’s figure at yesterday’s press launch at the Spanish Court Hotel.

The four-day national senior trial is to be held from June 30 to July 3, while the two-day junior event is set for June 18 and 19. Both are scheduled for the National Stadium.

“This year represents our 13th-consecutive year of sponsorship to the JAAA for the National Championships. Our sponsorship now amounts to $16m, which brings our total sponsorship over the 13 years to well over $125 million,” George noted.

“We have also noted the recent forays of new sponsors into track and field and we welcome them. However, we wish to point out that this relationship we have with the JAAA, and track and field in general, is a long-term marriage, not a one-night stand,” he added to loud laughter from the audience.

He continued: “We urge all to take this relationship seriously and not to disappear when the times get tough. We are an avid supporter of the JAAA and we will continue to affirm our commitment not only to the track and field, but to the other sports disciplines on the Olympic calendar”.

George, whose son will be representing Trinidad and Tobago in Judo at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil, said he is delighted with the widening participation in non-traditional events such gymnastic, javelin and shot put.

It is shaping up to be one of the hottest and most exciting Senior and Junior Championships in years, and JAAA President Dr Warren Blake said he expects strong performances.

“No one can take anything for granted and we expect strong competition for individual slots. Our sprint events promise to be as exciting as any World Championships,” said Dr Blake who, though not in attendance, sent a pre-recorded video message.

Blake thanked sponsors for taking Jamaica’s track and field to greater heights, and he had special mention for Supreme Ventures.

The two-day Junior Championships will select the national team to the IAAF World Junior Championship in Poland between July 19 and 24. The Senior Championships is geared toward picking the team to the Rio Olympics from August 5-21, and the NACAC Under-23 Championships in Puerto Rico from July 15-17.

Olivia “Babsy” Grange, the minister of sports, said the participation at the Olympic Games will be significant because of the high level of performance expected from our athletes, not only in track and field, but in swimming, diving and gymnastics.

“Jamaica’s sterling performance at the international level, whether Diamond League, Commonwealth Games, World Games and the Olympics, has placed us in the centre stage with all eyes not only on our athletes, but on our country as well,” Grange pointed out.

—Howard Walker