KINGSTON, Jamaica – The 36th INSPORTS Primary Schools Athletic Championships was officially launched at the National Indoor Sport Centre today (6 May).
The four-day event, which starts on May 11 through to May 14 at the National Stadium, will have 92 schools from across the island competing for $500,000 worth in prizes.
This year’s event, even without a title sponsor, has attracted three new schools in May Pen Primary, Lacovia Primary and Content Gap Primary, disclosed meet director Mr. Anthony Gibbs.
As its flagship programme, Primary Champs is a typical example of the agency’s mandate “but regrettably we’ve haven’t been promoting our successes enough, said Mr. Ian Andrews, administrative director, Institute of Sports after the media launch.
“We move from five schools in 1981 to 92 in 2016 is indicative that things are definitely happening in terms of us executing our mandate. The Institute of Sports has been doing a great job at this level in terms of implementing and executing our mandate which is not only to unearth and to develop talent but to promote the talent,” said Andrews.
“A number of these athletes who we have been lauding at the national and international level start right here at Primary Champs. The coaches at this level have been doing a fantastic job to get the youngsters at this stage operating at a very high standard. And a number of these students when they get into high schools they are already seasoned in terms the rudiments of track and field.”
Naggo Head Primary, a six-time champion, are the defending champions. Action begins at 8:00 am daily. The traditional opening ceremony will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016, commencing 2:00 pm.
Forty-one finals will be contested.