KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two-time defending champions St Andrew retained their title with 272.5 points as the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA)/Sagicor National Athletics Championship came to an end on Saturday at the National Stadium.

This was the team’s 21st time lifting the championship trophy in the 37 years that the meet has been held.

Closely trailing them for a shot of their first title win were St Thomas, who were 16.5 points behind on 256 after all 50 finals were completed. In third place was three-time championship winners St Catherine on 194 points, followed by St Elizabeth on 186 points. The athletes from Kingston rounded out the top five amassing 165.5 points.

Mabracq Harris, St Andrew parish coordinator said he expected the intense duel against St Thomas and St Catherine for the title, but was nonetheless confident in his team’s ability to pull off the three-peat.

“I knew this would be a three-parish battle with St. Thomas and St. Catherine, but with grit and determination we prevailed,” a jubilant Harris shared at the close of the event on Saturday.

“I was confident coming into the relays, but we had some injuries in the 100m and 200m which made me a bit nervous. Kudos to my coaches for their hard work. This one is for our JTA St Andrew Parish President!”

JTA President Winston Smith expressed in his address at the official opening ceremony of the championship that he was impressed with the quality of athletes at the meet after its two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“This grassroots championship has unearthed many talents that have served Jamaica well in the past, and are still serving Jamaica well,” Smith stated. “COVID-19 has put a damper on the championship over the last two years, but I’m happy that today we can carry on the activity that is a household name in Jamaica.”

The overall champion girl from the meet, under-nine sprinter Judah-Kay Pitt, was from the winning parish, while St Thomas under-13 sprinter Mario Ross and Westmoreland’s under-15 sprinter Jahleel Matthews were tied as champion boys of the meet on 18 points.

In addition to its sponsorship spend of over $10 million for the hosting of the meet, title sponsor Sagicor Foundation has also committed to secondary tuition scholarships for the champion athletes. Sagicor also contributed a cash prize of $100,000 to the parish with the most supporters at the stadium. This was copped by St Elizabeth.

Alysia White, Executive Director, Sagicor Foundation, congratulated St Andrew on their dominance in the event, and thanked the JTA for its dedication to students’ holistic development.

“The Sagicor Foundation commends the JTA for their perseverance in building on the legacy of this meet each year, and in so doing helping to create opportunities for our children to achieve their best both in and out of the classroom,” White said.

“We wholeheartedly thank the JTA sports committee, coaches, parish coordinators, principals, teachers, parents, sponsors and the entire JTA body for its unending dedication and support of the Championships. The positive impact that the JTA/Sagicor National Athletic Championships has had on the lives of youth athletes, their families, schools and communities cannot be overstated, and Sagicor is always happy to support this initiative,” she added.

This year’s staging of the meet was also sponsored by the JTA Co-operative Credit Union, Milo, Gatorade, National Baking Company and the Jamaica Observer.