The Mona Preparatory School on Tuesday held a media launch for the 20th staging of its Invitational Track Meet inside the school’s main hall.

Set to take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Jamaica College, the annual track meet is set to be extra special this year, as Mona Prep celebrates its 60th anniversary.

“This event stands as a celebration of excellence, teamwork and the vibrant spirit of youth sport,” said Citrine Dixon, principal of Mona Prep.

She said Mona will welcome participating preparatory schools from across the island, providing a platform “where they can showcase their skills, build friendships and grow through healthy competition.”

Last year, the Mona Prep Invitational Track Meet welcomed over 40 participating schools from across the island.

Sports Director at Mona Prep, Alfred Nelson, in giving an overview of this year’s event, said the meet is to commence at 8:00 am.

He added: “We are confident that this year’s event will operate as smoothly and successfully as in previous years, if not better.”

While lauding the teams that have already registered this year, Nelson urged others to do so before the May 26 cut-off date.

With no major changes to the slew of events that were contested on the track and field last year, Nelson promised another exciting and successful staging this year.

In acknowledging the major sponsors, PTA President Odean White, in officially announcing the meet, said: “The Mona Prep School in association with Express Canteen Services Limited, presents the Mona Invitational Track Meet, powered by Proven.”

Sponsors represented at the press launch also underscored their own vote of confidence in this year’s staging.

Ryan Foster, chairman of Express Canteen Services Limited, the concessionaires at Mona Prep since 2018, said the school has long been known for its strong focus on youth development, particularly through the avenue of sports. And as such, in continuing their commitment, his company has “adopted the Mona Prep Invitational Track Meet”.

Dana-Ashley Cousins, Proven Wealth Limited head of marketing, had high praise for the meet.

“Last year was fantastic, and we just had to come back,” she noted.

Cousins said track and field is “woven into the very fabric of nation pride and history”, and that Proven is “committed to supporting the development of youths, nurturing talent from the ground up.”