KINGSTON, Jamaica— Keith Wellington, president of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) says two international track and field officials have been added to this year’s staging of the ISSA/Boys’ and Girls’ Championships to boost the cadre of officials for the five-day event.

This year’s championships will be held at the National Stadium from March 19-23.

“We believe that the inclusion of an international start referee and the addition of an international official to the jury of appeal will not only add significant credibility to these areas but will enhance the already significant reputation of Champs as a meet of highest international quality,” said Wellington during the launch of the championships, which was held at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

Wellington pointed out that his organisation is also expecting a very exciting five days of track and field.

“This year’s staging of Champs may well turn out to be akin to the greatest show on earth,” he said.

“We expect that patrons will be dazzled, not only by the performances of our athletes but will also experience pulsating entertainment off the track and both inside the stadium as well as through coverage from our exclusive media partner TVJ and staging of our first off-site watch party at Murray’s in Clarendon. As the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association continues to build on the 113-year-old legacy of Champs,” Wellington pointed out.

Meanwhile, the GraceKennedy Group and its subsidiaries have pumped $178 million into this year’s championships.

Don Wehby, chief executive officer of the GraceKennedy Group, said the event is one of the most exciting track and field championships across the globe and therefore his company is committed to the development of youths in the country.

“Champs continues to be the largest sponsorship in dollars and heart by far, for the entire GraceKennedy Group. We are honoured and proud to be the title sponsors of such an iconic event, an event that holds such cultural prominence among Jamaicans at home and abroad,” Wehby said.

“This year, our Champs sponsorship is valued at $100 million, additionally there will be executions by our Grace Foods, Grace Money Services and First Global brands, valued an additional $78 million,” he further disclosed.

– Robert Bailey