The Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has navigated one of its most difficult periods in recent years, staging competitions amid disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa last October and lingering challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hurricane made landfall in western Jamaica in the middle of the schoolboy football season, forcing a pause for roughly a month before competition resumed. Several schools in the region were significantly affected, including St Elizabeth Technical High School, where ISSA President Keith Wellington serves as principal.

In the subsequent months, ISSA also had to prepare for the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) in March under difficult circumstances.

Only 25 schools from western Jamaica were able to compete at Champs this year.

Some schools continued to function at a reduced capacity, with campuses serving as shelters or operating without electricity. In other cases, students were displaced or relocated to different parishes, while certain sports programmes were suspended entirely. There were also instances of schools holding classes outdoors as they worked to recover.

Wellington, now in his third term after first being elected in 2019, says ISSA has relied heavily on collaboration to overcome the challenges.

“It has been challenging but I think we have a great team at ISSA, both in terms of the staff, as well as the executive, as well as when we’re talking about Champs — the persons who assisted with organising Champs, the schools themselves, and their representatives,” Wellington told the Jamaica Observer recently.

“I think that because we all work together it makes it a lot easier, and I think, as well, that those of us who are involved know the value of what we do for our children.

“Therefore we remain committed and we make the sacrifices to ensure that the opportunities are there for them. If we don’t ensure that it is there, even under trying circumstances, the long term effects would be too much for any of us to bear.”

The challenges mirror those faced in March 2020, when the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Jamaica was reported just days before Champs. The event was cancelled for the first time since 1944, when it was halted due to World War II. School sports later resumed under strict protocols, including the staging of competitions without spectators.

Despite the scale of recent disruptions, Wellington says challenges are a source of motivation rather than deterrence.

“I thrive on challenges,” he said. “I grew up having challenges in my personal life and it makes me stronger and makes me a better person. So, I don’t necessarily look at challenges as obstacles but as an antidote to make me stronger. So, I don’t really complain or think negatively about challenges. At the end of the day, I believe that once I give it my best shot, I will be happy and I will benefit from it too,” he said.

ISSA President Keith Wellington (foreground, right) and several sponsors celebrate alongside players, coaches, and support personnel from St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) following the school’s triumph in the ISSA daCosta Cup final at the National Stadium on Saturday, December 20, 2025. STETHS defeated Glenmuir on penalties after both teams played out a 0-0 scoreline.(Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Members of Jamaica College’s under-14 team celebrate with the trophy after defeating Kingston College 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 scoreline at regulation time, in the final of the ISSA/Burger King Urban Under-14 comeptition at Stadium East on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

WELLINGTON… it has been challenging but I think we have a great team at ISSA both in terms of the staff, as well as the executive.