IAN Forbes, first vice-president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), says plans are in place to have the island’s top athletes assemble for a training camp in Japan ahead of next month’s World Athletics Championships.

The camp is to be held in Tottori from September 1–10, ahead of the championships in Tokyo from September 13–21.

“Based on what we are seeing, yes, I am confident that the top athletes, if not all, will be available for the camp,” Forbes said. “It is very important they are there, and I am confident that it will redound to the benefit of our team and our performances.”

Forbes highlighted that organising training camps is not new, pointing out that for the past 20 years Jamaica has held similar gatherings to prepare athletes for major championships.

“It is just a continuation of the strategy which started some time ago — having our athletes together, training together, building team spirit and camaraderie, and of course helping them to challenge each other as they prepare for the World Championships,” he said.

Tottori also hosted Jamaica’s athletes and officials ahead of the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan, and the 2015 edition in Beijing, China. Located in the Tottori Prefecture, the city is both its capital and largest urban centre.