No praise can be too high for Hydel High School and all-boys institution Kingston College (KC) following their triumph in the girls’ and boys’ categories, respectively, of the 113-year-old high schools’ athletics championships, “Champs”, on the weekend.

Of course, respect is also due to all who came and competed.

We can only admire the talent and discipline required of student athletes in giving their all at the annual, world-famous Champs, which has provided a platform for Jamaica’s track and field stars for as long as anyone can remember.

And let’s not forget the dedication of coaches, other support staff, school leaders, and organisers the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA). The hard work and detailed planning of all those categories mentioned and more, together with business partners, not least title sponsors GraceKennedy Group, ensure the success of Champs year after year.

As always, for those with an eye for potential world beaters, individual performances came under close scrutiny.

None drew more applause than achievements by record-breaking sprinters Miss Alana Reid of Hydel, the first female to break the 11-second 100-metre-barrier at Champs, and Mr Bouwahjgie Nkrumie of KC, the first to break 10-seconds in the 100m at Champs.

True to its traditions, Champs — now without the COVID-19 restrictions of last year — took on a festive, party atmosphere, especially on the final day, Saturday. Those in the National Stadium and the hundreds of thousands following on television and other audio-visuals enjoyed the experience immensely.

Like many others, this newspaper was touched by the presence of the admirably courageous, teenaged burn victim Miss Adriana Laing, who survived a fire which took the lives of her three younger brothers. After life-saving procedures in the United States, Miss Laing returned to Jamaica recently and had her desire to witness Champs at first hand satisfied.

Sadly, not for the first time, there were downsides to Champs. A ‘gun salute’ by a victorious, celebrating athlete and a near-physical altercation involving competitors triggered alarm and detracted from the athletics festival.

We note the warning from GraceKennedy’s CEO Mr Don Wehby that his company would consider withdrawing its massive sponsorship in the event such incidents are repeated.

“We’re not going to be associated with Champs if indiscipline continues…” Mr Wehby, a Government Senator, said.

Back in 2016, Mr Wehby issued a similar warning following an ugly fracas involving players and spectators at a schoolboy cricket final in Kingston.

It seems to us that the latest incidents should serve as a reminder to schools and their leaders of the need for rigorous attention to behaviour in all areas of endeavour, not just in the class room.

In the case of sports, those students who represent schools and may even go further to national representation, must be always reminded — on a daily basis — of their responsibilities as ambassadors for school, community, country, relatives, and friends. Importantly, ISSA and school leaders must insist on a disciplinary code with penalties.

Crucially, adults in charge need to ensure, at all times, that the young understand and appreciate the difference between right and wrong; what’s acceptable behaviour, what is not, and why. We must never simply assume that they know.