KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) announced on Friday that the dates set for the National Junior and Senior Championships, June 26-29, have been approved by World Athletics.

The World Championships have been set for September 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan with World Athletics setting two windows between late July and mid-August when federations can host their national championships without athletes needing to make a choice of where to compete.

The decision by the JAAA had been criticised by a number of stakeholders, mainly coaches and agents, especially athletes who were contracted by the cash rich Grand Slam Track series where their fourth and final meet is set for Los Angeles June 27-29.

There were also concerns that if the JAAA national championships were held outside the two ‘approved windows’ the performances would not be recognised by World Athletics and would not be accepted for qualification to the World Championships.

A release on Friday indicated the dates of the JAAA Championships, “have been approved by World Athletics, the governing body of Track and Field athletics.”

“Athletes are assured of receiving ranking points for their participation, and performances will be used for qualification to all global championships,” it said.