As is always the case at this time of year, the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), which takes place from March 25-29, is among the dominant news stories.

Much focus is on the defending champions, Kingston College (boys) and Edwin Allen High (girls), as well as those bidding to overturn the metaphorical apple cart; and others likely to be no more than “also rans” but nonetheless aiming to leave their mark.

And since Champs has always been an early signalling station for world-beating talent, track and field analysts and enthusiasts will be on the lookout for standout individuals — often coming from the least-fancied schools.

Like living legend Mr Usain Bolt, who captured the imagination from his early teenaged years at Champs 20-odd years ago, coming from Trelawny-based William Knibb Memorial High, then among our more unfashionable schools in the context of track and field.

From the very start, in 1910, when Champs was confined to boys from what was then very few high schools — so few they could be easily counted on the fingers — Champs was the primary nursery for Jamaica’s track and field.

Back then National Hero Norman Washington Manley was among the earliest stars. Mr Manley’s achievements in 1910 included an eyebrow-raising 10 seconds flat to win the 100-yard dash.

That standard stayed undisturbed for three decades until it was equalled by his son, Mr Douglas Manley, in 1941. Legend has it that the younger Manley beat Mr Herb McKenley – later to become Olympic hero in 1948 and ’52 – into third place.

It’s against that colourful backdrop, and much more, that Jamaicans will be flocking to the National Stadium and leaning eagerly forward before their television sets to watch Champs next week.

We note that Mr Bolt has stamped his mark by contributing immensely in cash and kind to his alma mater and a few other rural schools to support preparations for Champs 2025.

At the wider sponsorship level, hats off yet again to Champs lead sponsor GraceKennedy, which says its total investment in the annual athletics festival will exceed $185 million this year.

We are told that retired chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Mr Don Wehby, who has been a stalwart in support of Champs and schools’ sport – not least cricket – over many years, is to be specially honoured this year.

GraceKennedy is introducing the Don Wehby Sportsmanship Award valued at $250,000. It will be presented annually to the school of the most deserving boy or girl athlete, as determined in collaboration with ISSA.

Also, GraceKennedy Foundation will be awarding an annual $500,000 scholarship in Mr Wehby’s name for strong academic performance and active participation in sport.

And, in recognition of Mr Wehby’s achievements as a champion Class Three sprint hurdler decades ago, as well as celebration of Grace Kennedy’s 103rd anniversary, any student that sets a new record in the sprint hurdles will receive a prize of $103,000 for their school.

Finally, as we approach Champs 2025, we believe much praise is due to school administrators who comprise ISSA, that organisation’s secretariat, and all those, including volunteers, who provide support. That’s for their role in ensuring schools’ sport remains an essential cornerstone of Jamaican life.